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Debate and Public Speaking

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Gray Academy's Debate and Public Speaking programs are among the best in Canada. In addition to curricular requirements in these areas starting in Grade 6, High School students can build skills, confidence and peer relationships by participating in local, provincial, national and international debate and speaking competitions.

Well-Spoken!

Our curricular and co-curricular Debate and Public Speaking programs help students develop valuable skills for a lifetime, including critical thinking, confidence and speaking skills. Debating also encourages creativity, as students learn to develop their ideas and present them in interesting, persuasive ways.

In the classroom and at local, national and international competitions, Gray Academy students learn:

  • Effective research skills
  • How to write and deliver persuasive, evidence-based arguments
  • Collaboration and teamwork
  • Confidence in front of an audience
  • Pride in representing Gray Academy locally, provincially, nationally and internationally

Our Stand-out Programs

  • We start early – Gray Academy students begin learning the fundamentals of speech writing and speaking in front of a crowd in Grades 6-8, as part of their mandatory curriculum.
  • We take it to the next level – Debate and Public Speaking is an elective course for High School students who want to enrich their skills in researching topics, preparing persuasive arguments and presenting with compelling style.
  • We compete against the best – At the High School level, our award-winning students take part in local, national and international competitions throughout the school year.
  • We have a top notch coach – Our Debate and Public Speaking program is proudly led by teacher and coach Andrew Kaplan, president of the International Independent Schools’ Public Speaking League and vice-president of the Manitoba Speech and Debate Association.

Asper Cup

Each year, Gray Academy proudly hosts the Asper Cup Debate Competition, welcoming top student competitors from schools across the city. We are incredibly grateful to the Asper Foundation for their many years of strong support for Gray Academy debating and public speaking programs.

School Life