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.

  • Ontario Junior Provincial Qualifier for National Championships Recap

    Last Saturday, Ananya Kapur ‘26 and Audrey Jiang ‘26 participated in the Ontario Junior Provincial Qualifier for the National Public Speaking and Debate Championships held at the Bishop Strachan School.
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  • World Championships Update from Durban, South Africa

    The 35th World Individual Debate and Public Speaking Championships (WIDPSC) were held at Clifton School in Durban, South Africa, from March 26 - April 2. This was the first in-person World's tournament in four years.
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  • Three CDS Debaters Qualify for Worlds

    The 2023 National Public Speaking Championships took place at St. John's-Ravenscourt School in Winnipeg last weekend. Sarah Croxon ‘24 and Diviya Amarnath ‘25 competed in this tournament after qualifying at the 2022 Ontario Qualifiers in early December.
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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 '24Ethan Wahba '24 and Diviya Amarnath '25 competed in this tournament consisting of four different rounds, including Debate, Impromptu Speaking, Persuasive Speaking and Interpretive Reading.
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  • 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
Archive

CDS World Qualifiers

CDS Students have qualified for Worlds for the past 16 years (those listed in bold were WIDPSC Champions):

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.

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.