Extracurricular Program
Debating & Public Speaking
Students at CDS can begin debating in Grade 7 and enjoy an increasing number of opportunities to compete through Grade 12. By learning the art of debate, students build confidence, develop critical thinking and communication skills, and acquire a wider understanding of current and historical events.
The Debating & Public Speaking Club’s ongoing success over the past 17 years has contributed to its growth and popularity as more experienced Senior School students are keen to mentor younger students and help contribute to their skill development.
The Club at CDS has experienced another banner year competing on the world stage. Veteran Debating Coach, Kerstin Wyndham-West, has facilitated this club for more than 20 years and is extremely well respected among her colleagues and students worldwide.Latest Debating News
List of 5 news stories.
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Talk of the Town: Grades 7 & 8 Debate Their Way to Success
Whether it is presenting in the classroom or speaking in front of an audience of hundreds, the importance of public speaking is everywhere. Over the past few weeks, all Grade 7 and 8 students have been actively engaged in exciting and enriching public speaking and debate units in their respective English classes. In collaboration with CDS Debate coaches, Mr. Robinson and Mrs. Wyndham-West, students have been honing their communication and critical-thinking skills while exploring the art of effective speech and argumentation.Read More -
Students Compete in Two Debating Events in Winnipeg
From December 5-8, six students, alongside Mrs. Wyndham-West, Mr. Robinson and Mme Davidson travelled to Winnipeg to compete in two events. They first competed in an impromptu public speaking competition at St. John’s Ravenscourt School and both Ananya Kapur ‘26 and Adhya Chandradat ‘27 placed in the top 4. This advanced them to the finals, after which Ananya placed 2nd overall!Then on Sunday, Balmoral Hall was the site of the 32nd annual Rupert’s Land public speaking and debating tournament, with all of Manitoba's best speakers and debaters in attendance. Our students put themselves out there to compete, some of them for the very first time. Adhya finished 7th overall and Liam Gunning ‘27 finished 6th overall. Congratulations to all of these students, including Audrey Jiang ‘26, Zaydan Feroze ‘28 and Lucas Juhasz ‘28, for their incredible efforts to prepare for and compete in this tournament. -
Two CDS Debaters Qualify for Nationals
On Monday evening this week, five CDS students travelled to Branksome Hall in Toronto to compete in the Ontario qualifiers for public speaking. Students were vying for 8 coveted spots at the National tournament to be held in Winnipeg in February.They had to compete in four events: parliamentary debate, persuasive speaking, interpretive reading, and impromptu speaking. Our students were outstanding!Adhya Chandradat '27 competed in her first-ever public speaking tournament and did extremely well, especially owing to the very high calibre of this event. Liam Gunning '27 placed 3rd in debating and 10th overall. Audrey Jiang '26 placed 1st in debating. Diviya Amarnath '25 placed 2nd in persuasive and 7th overall, qualifying her to attend the National tournament in Winnipeg. Ananya Kapur '26 placed 3rd in persuasive speaking, 2nd in impromptu and 8th overall, also qualifying her to attend the National tournament in Winnipeg.As always, coaches Mrs. Wyndham-West, Mr. Robinson and Mme Davidson are so proud of these students and their hard work preparing for this event. -
Congratulations to our Debaters!
Diviya Amarnath ‘25, Jack Brown ‘25 and Ananya Kapur ‘26 were in Bermuda last weekend competing in the 2024 International Independent Schools’ Public Speaking Competition (IISPSC).Read MoreThis year's event was jointly hosted by Bermuda High School and Saltus Grammar School with students and coaches from 35 schools across Canada, the U.S., Bermuda and India competing in the four-day event.CDS results were impressive with Jack qualifying and competing in two finals in extemporaneous and persuasive speaking and Ananya qualifying for finals in impromptu speaking. -
CDS 14th Annual Grade 5 & 6 Public Speaking Competition
Read MoreOn Wednesday, May 1st, 2024, CDS grade four, five and six students, teachers and families gathered in the Paul C. Duckett theatre to celebrate the accomplishments of our Grade five and six public speakers and acknowledge their hard work and skill in communicating effectively at the 14th Annual CDS Public Speaking Contest.Whether they deliver inspiring speeches, informative presentations, or engaging talks, public speakers play a crucial role in sharing ideas and shaping discussions. Through eloquent articulation and confident delivery, students captivated audiences and inspired peers with their powerful words and compelling presence on stage. Their dedication to honing their communication skills has truly paid off, setting a shining example for all.
Photo Gallery
CDS World Qualifiers
CDS Students have qualified for Worlds for the past 17 years (those listed in bold were WIDPSC Champions):
| 2024 |
Sarah Croxon '24, Ethan Wahba '24 and Millie Steinmann '25 - Canberra, Australia
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| 2023 | Sarah Croxon '24, Diviya Amarnath '25 and Millie Steinmann '25 - Durban, South Africa |
| 2022 |
Maria Ivoditova '22 - virtual due to COVID |
| 2021 |
Maria Ivoditova '22 - virtual due to COVID |
| 2020 |
Eliza Pasha '22 - virtual due to COVID |
| 2019 |
Anna Croxon '20, Anaïs Leiva von Bovet '19 and Maeve Tebbutt '19 - Toronto, ON |
| 2018 |
Anaïs Leiva von Bovet '19 and Maeve Tebbutt '19 - Cape Town, South Africa |
| 2017 |
Olivia Railton '17 and
Maeve Tebbutt '19 - Sydney, Australia |
| 2016 | Natalie Ganzhorn ’16 and Olivia Railton ’17 - Pittsburgh, PA |
| 2015 | Natalie Ganzhorn ’16 and Olivia Railton ’17 - Hong Kong, China |
| 2014 | Natalie Ganzhorn ’16 - Druskininkai, Lithuania |
| 2013 | Natalie Ganzhorn ’16 - Durban, South Africa |
| 2012 | Reid Dobell ’12 - Brisbane, Australia |
| 2011 | Lucas Regazzi ’12 - Brisbane, Australia |
| 2010 | Victoria Sienczewski ’12 - Druskininkai, Lithuania |
| 2009 | Genevieve Laurier ’09 and Rachael Andrew ’09 - Reading, U.K. |
| 2008 | Genevieve Laurier ’09 - Winnenden, Germany |
Competitions
List of 5 items.
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Canadian National Junior High Public Speaking Championships
Canadian National Junior High Public Speaking Championships was intended to offer junior high students an opportunity to showcase their public speaking talents. Based on the same events that exist at the Senior High Speech Nationals, this tournament welcomes students from all provinces with active debate and speech associations. -
Fulford Debate
CDS is a member of the Fulford League, a group of independent schools that compete in several tournaments to earn the Fulford Cup at the end of the year. -
International Independent Schools’ Public Speaking Competition
The International Independent Schools’ Public Speaking Competition gathers more than 150 high school students from countries across the world to compete for a chance to qualify for the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championship held every spring. -
Ontario Student Debating Union
Ontario Student Debating Union is a charitable organization that hosts and promotes competitive debate for Ontario students up to Grade 12. OSDU organizes a Provincial Championship every spring as well as a variety of regional debates and workshops. It also works with the Canadian Student Debating Federation and helps select students to represent Ontario at national and international debating events. -
WIDPSC – World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Competition
World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championship is an annual international English language debating and public speaking tournament for individual high school-level students representing different countries.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
