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 14 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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2022 Annual Ontario Qualifier Results
The 2022 Annual Ontario Qualifier for the Canadian National Public Speaking and Debating Championships were held Monday at Branksome Hall in Toronto. Sarah Croxon '24, Ethan Wahba '24 and Diviya Amarnath '25 competed in this tournament consisting of four different rounds, including Debate, Impromptu Speaking, Persuasive Speaking and Interpretive Reading.Read More -
Public Speaking Competition in Boston
Our three CDS debaters performed extremely well at last week’s International Independent Schools' Public Speaking Competition (IISPSC) held at Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. Ananya Kapur ‘26 placed in the top 20 for Interpretive Reading and Diviya Amarnath ‘25 placed in the top 8 for Radio Newscast.Read More -
A CDS Debater Wins Worlds For Fourth Time in Seven Years!
Read MoreA CDS debater made history once again last weekend at the 34th annual World Independent Debating and Public Speaking Championships (WIDPSC) hosted virtually by The Country Day School. As a finalist in all four of her events, Grade 12 student Maria Ivoditova captured the overall World Champion title, and was a Grand Finalist in Impromptu Speaking and Interpretive Reading. -
CDS to Host Two Weeks of Canada's Debate Camp: June 27-July 8
We are excited to announce that Canada’s public speaking and debating camp, Debate Camp 2022, for students in Grades 5-10 is holding two one-week camp programs at CDS this summer: June 27-June 30 and July 4-8. Run by experienced educators, Debate Camp directors believe in providing an academic enrichment opportunity to youth across Canada and the Northeastern United States via a set of exceptionally well-organized, safe and accredited summer camps. Debate Camp believes in a well-balanced program where an academic focus is combined with opportunities for traditional camp games, and a fun and inspiring approach to learning.Read More -
CDS Hosts 34th Annual World Individual Debating & Public Speaking Championships This Month!
Starting this Saturday, The Country Day School will be hosting the prestigious 34th World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships. From April 2-6, the event will run asynchronously with judging of pre-recorded submissions only. Then from April 9-10, it will run in three separate time zones, with Finals and Grand Finals for all events to be held live on Zoom from April 16-17 EDT.Read More
CDS World Qualifiers
CDS Students have qualified for Worlds for the past 15 years (those listed in bold were WIDPSC Champions):
| 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
CDS wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. For thousands of years, these have been the traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We also recognize the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and the Haudenosaunee peoples who also shared this land. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for these lands and waters for future generations.
School Information
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.
(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.
