The Auckland Debating Academy’s programme will transform students into debaters, with knowledge across a range of key topic areas and with the ability to formulate and communicate a coherent sequence of arguments whatever the topic.
12
classes per year.
Providing for sustained and observable development.
2.5
hours per class.
Providing time for real, noticeable improvement.
6
students per class.
Enabling a full debate, while maintaining individualised coaching.
With classes for varying levels of experience and ability, coaching includes: practice debates with in-depth, individualised feedback; informative and interactive knowledge sessions; and speaking style development.
By the completion of the Academy, debaters will be performing at a noticeably advanced level, with the attributes required to enjoy success in schools debating and various other academic pursuits which draw on similar skills.
Coach - James Penn
James went to secondary school in Whanganui, and spent many years debating there. In fourth form, he was part of the NZ Development Debating Team which attended the Qatar Mini-World Schools Debating Championships, where he was the Best Speaker. In sixth form and seventh form, James was selected in the NZ Secondary Schools Debating Team, and received the Andrew Stockley Cup for the Captain in the latter. His experience in the New Zealand team took him to World Schools Debating Championships in Scotland, South Africa and Turkey. In Turkey, he was the eight best speaker in the world.
Since beginning a conjoint Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Economics and Finance) at the University of Auckland, he has won the New Zealand Impromptu Debating Championships (where he was also Best Speaker), won the New Zealand Parliamentary Shield, reached the Grand Final of the Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships, and broke to the knockout rounds of the World University Debating Championships ranked 3rd. James has also judged regularly for Auckland Schools Debating and coached the Auckland Regional Debating Team for four years, reaching the final on two of those occasions.
Outside debating, James enjoys playing and reading about football, economics, and mooting.
Coach - James Rankin
James attended Westlake Boys’ High School in Auckland, where he won both the Premier Junior and Premier Advanced titles in his time as a debater. In 2013, he was named as the best speaker in Auckland. At the New Zealand Schools Debating Championships that year, he was also named as the best speaker in New Zealand. As a member of the 2013 New Zealand Schools Debating Team, he competed in the Pan-Pacific debating championships, where the team made the final.
James now studies a conjoint Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Economics and Philosophy) at the University of Auckland. He has won the New Zealand Impromptu Debating Championships, reached the Grand Final of the Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships, and broke to the knockout rounds of the World University Debating Championships ranked 3rd. James has also judged school debates at various Auckland tournaments and coached the Auckland Regional Debating Team.
When not debating, James enjoys literature, football and competing in various business competitons.
Schedule
The schedule below contains the provisional calendar for the 2017 programme. The classes have been scheduled to accommodate school debating tournaments, school holidays, and the final exam period in November.
Please note that these dates are provisional and subject to change. Further information regarding commitment and our payment schedule is provided on the ‘Enrol‘ page.
Venue
Our classrooms are on the ground floor of the Watercare Building, 2 Nuffield St, Newmarket. Shared with Crimson Education, these classrooms provide students with a dynamic environment to improve their debating and public speaking skills.