Debating

Atheneum runs Worlds School style debating leagues (North, Central, and Sunday Leagues) in the first half of the year.

Debates:

  • All teams participate in 9 rounds of debate in the preliminary rounds. The tournament will then break through to Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and the Grand Finals (depending on the numbers of teams within the league).
  • All debates are impromptu.
  • No electronic devices are allowed during preparation time.

Teams:

  • Teams may not consist of more than 5 members on any given debating day. Speakers who speak in the Break Rounds must have spoken for that team previously.
  • Junior speakers must be in grade 7, 8 or 9.
  • After a junior speaker has spoken in their 2nd senior debate they will be considered a senior speaker and cannot compete in the junior division. (However, juniors in senior teams can still be eligible for provincial selection at junior level).
  • Senior speakers can be from grade 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13.
  • A school may enter a maximum of three junior teams and three senior teams per year (please indicate the number of teams per division you would like to enter clearly on the registration form).

Adjudicators:

  • All teams are required to provide a qualified adjudicator to adjudicate for them at debates. IE if you have entered 2 teams you will need 2 adjudicators. Adjudicators must have passed an adjudication test. An adjudicator who has previously passed a GSDB Adjudication Test in recent years will not have to re-write a test.
  • It is important schools and especially adjudicators attend the Adjudicator and Speaker Training day each year.

Registration and Entry:

  • Schools are required to complete the online registration form and pay the registration fees.
  • Registration fees are R400-00 per team. An invoice will be provided to schools on completing the registration form.
  • The registration fee covers entry to the debating league and core structure of Atheneum, access to training, and entry to Gauteng Provincials (dependent on league performance).

Venues:

We have been incredibly lucky with schools hosting competition days. This allows for convenient rotation of venues and easy facilitation of debates.