Trials for the ISDA and FED competitions take place around Week 8 of Term 4 (the year prior) for Year 8 to Year 12, and Week 2 of Term 1 for Year 6 and Year 7, and are open to all interested students. Information about the trials is included in the weekly newsletter.

Trials for the Archdale Shield competition take place at the start of Term 2 and are open to all students who have participated in debating activities during Term 1. The trials are convened by our Debating Coordinator with support from our team coaches.

Many MLC School students participate in debating over several years and there is also opportunities for Senior students to help coach and mentor younger students new to debating. With the assistance of the Debating Coordinator and coaching staff, Senior students interested in improving their leadership skills can do so by sharing their debating experience with junior teams.

The MLC School Debating Program strives for excellence and expects a high level of commitment from its debaters. Students in competitive teams are expected to attend all scheduled training sessions and must inform their coach in advance of any absences. Only four team members take part in each debate, and team members rotate (under the direction of their coach) to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to speak. However, all team members are expected to attend home debates in order to support their fellow debaters and provide assistance to the Debating Coordinator and coaches.

During preliminary rounds where the debate venue is more easily reached by train, students will travel by public transport, under staff supervision for the Middle Years. For schools not close to public transport a bus will be provided to transport students to away debate venues, supervised by our Debating Coordinators or a member of staff.

In the finals rounds, participating teams are usually expected to make their own way to the debate venue (unless there are a large number of teams participating, in which case a bus will be provided).

In all cases, parents/carers are expected to collect their daughter from the debate venue promptly after the debate is finished (they are also very welcome to arrive early to watch the debate).

Debating is a pay per term co-curricular activity at MLC School. Students who trial for a competition team and are selected for FED or ISDA will receive a link for their parents to register and pay online for Term 1 debating. Term 2 and Term 3 fees will be automatically added to term fees. This includes the student’s competition fees, personal and small group coaching and participation in weekly debates. Each team of five students receives coaching for 1.5– 2 hours every Wednesday plus coaching before each competitive debate. Their coach attends every debate and provides feedback to each student afterwards.  Debating is a nine-week activity for Term 1 and Term 2.

Students who trial and are successful in selection for the Archdale competition will start halfway through Term 2 (when students will still be doing either FED or ISDA). Term 3 payments will be for the Archdale competition and will be a nine-week activity.

During Term 4, MLC School will run either an internal Debating tournament in the British Parliamentary style or compete in an international online debating tournament. There is a cost associated with this nine-week term activity.