2012 SCHOOLS TRAINING DAY

The Monash Association of Debaters (MAD) runs an annual Schools Training Day every year at the Monash University Clayton Campus. In 2012, we’re seeking to move this day to an inner city high school campus, to increase accessibility. More information about this move will be available soon.

This year, the Schools Training Day will display the same quality of training and adjudication as in the past, combined with some great new features and sessions to ensure the continued development of the debaters that attend.

The Training Day will be held on the 3rd of March. Students will be able to choose different sessions based on their level of experience, in order to cater for varying degrees of skill

FORMAT OF THE TRAINING DAY

The day will begin with students breaking up in to groups based on their differing levels of experience. Beginner debaters will be swiftly taken through the fundamentals of debating, from scoring and structure to rebuttal. Intermediate debaters will be taken through specific speaker roles and team tactics, as well as advanced case preparation and rebuttal. Advanced debaters will spend time with some of the most successful debaters in Australia, working on the details of debating tactics.

One of the most important determinants of success in debating is the students’ understanding of particular types of DAV topics. This requires an understanding of fundamental issues or 'first principles'. The second half of the morning sessions will help students learn where to start when looking at issues such as human rights, the role of government, the criminal justice system and the environment. An understanding of these broad principled debates is extremely valuable, both in a debating and a non-debating context.

After acquiring their new skills, debaters will be given an hour to prepare a secret topic using the skills learnt in the Case Preparation seminar, with the assistance of experienced MAD debaters. After the debate, debaters will receive constructive feedback on their team's performance and advice about how to improve.

To end the day, attendees will be able to sit back and take a brief break while watching the best in the business. Monash will host an exhibition debate with our top debaters, showcasing various skills taught throughout the day. Attendees will also participate in an active adjudication session at the end of the debate.

Payment and Registration

The cost for the training day is $30 per student. This cost includes a healthy lunch, a copy of MAD's training handbook and detailed individual feedback from a DAV accredited adjudicator.

Early registration can be completed by emailing our Schools Training Officer, Madeline Schultz, at schools@monashdebaters.com, and payment can occur on the training day by cash or cheque. For schools sending more than six students, we require payment in advance by EFT or cheque. We are happy to arrange invoices for your school if you require them.

Location

PLEASE NOTE THE TRAINING DAY LOCATION HAS CHANGED TO PRINCE'S HILL SECONDARY COLLEGE

A map of the school can be found here

For a full itinerary and description of the training day please visit this link.