CDS Debating and 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 nine 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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Younger Debaters Rising Through the Ranks
Read MoreLast week, Arjun Walia ’22 travelled to Winnipeg to participate in the Senior National Public speaking Championships at St. John’s-Ravenscourt School. Arjun scored consistently high across all categories, especially Persuasive, Debate and Impromptu Speaking, however, only the top six students qualify for the World Championships from this event, held next year in Shanghai in April. -
Congrats to our Fulford & Jr. National Debaters!
Last month, three students represented CDS at the Spring Fulford Debate held at Ridley College. Grade 9 students, Tomas Chacin and Danyal Hakeem finished in 4th and 5th placed respectively in the Junior Division, winning coveted citations, and Grade 11 student, Georgie Tsioliswas 11th overall in the Senior Division. Well done, boys!Read More -
CDS Debater Wins Worlds for Third Time in Four Years
CDS made history on Tuesday at the World Independent Debating and Public Speaking Championships (WIDPSC) held at Branksome Hall in Toronto this past week. Not only did our veteran coach Ms. Kerstin Wyndham-West bring three students for the first time in her 12 years of qualifying CDS students, but one of our own won the World Championship once again.Read More -
CDS Qualifies Three Debaters for Worlds
For the 12th consecutive year, The Country Day School has qualified a debater for the World Championships held this year from April 11-17 at Branksome Hall in Toronto. There will be 14 students representing Canada, and for the first time three students will be from CDS.Read More -
CDS To Host One Week of Debate Camp: June 17-22
This year, we are excited to announce an amazing opportunity for students in Grades 5-10 to take part in Debate Camp 2019, Canada’s public speaking and debating camp at CDS from June 17-22, 2019. This prestigious program, with space for 40 students, is offered for one week only. The directors of the camp are experts in their field, and students work in small groups with highly experienced counsellors.Read More
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Student Testimonial
List of 1 news stories.
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Kerstin Wyndham-West, Debating Coach
Kerstin Wyndham-West was born and raised in London, England, and she graduated in 1990 with an MA (Hons) from Hertford College, Oxford University, in Philosophy and Modern Languages. She then spent several years teaching English at the Gymnasium Oberalster in Hamburg, Germany.Read More
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.
CDS World Qualifiers
CDS Students to qualify for Worlds in the past nine years:
| 2017 |
Olivia Railton '17 and
Maeve Tebbutt '19 - Vancouver, BC |
| 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 |
School Information
13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
(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.
