Debating
Sacred Heart School has an active and successful debating programme open to students from grade 6 through 12. Students can join the debating club just to learn the fine art of persuasion, or be part of the competitive Debating Team.Students on the team participate in Nova Scotia Debating Society tournaments and in a number of national and international events.
We normally attend the McGill University High School tournament, the Oxford Cup, Queen's University Tournament, the Hart House tournament, the Moses Coady Debates, the Sodales tournament, as well as the Junior High Nationals and the National Seminar. We host the Donahoe Cup and the Sacred Heart Debate Camp. In the fall this year we are hosting an Atlantic Tournament, too. We also regularly participate in American tournaments as members of the Debate Association of New England Independent Schools.
Our students place well at these events. Sacred Heart students have placed first individually at each of the Canadian events; this year we are also the defending team champions for McGill. Students from the school have made the 8 member national team each of the last three years, debating at the Europeans and Pan Americans.
You are welcome to use the debating materials on our site, although we ask you to acknowledge their source. Another fine collection of materials is available free from Simon Quinn at www.learndebating.com. The Nova Scotia Debating Society also has tournament information and excellent instructional materials available here.
For further information on the Sacred Heart Programme, please contact Brian Casey, bcasey@eastlink.ca or by calling (902) 460-3468 (work) or (902) 423-8457 home.
Debating Programme downloadable pdf forms
- Information for parents on debating
- Debater Registration
- Waiver
- Nova Scotia Debating Society Materials
- Donahoe Cup: Invitation
- Donahoe Cup: Schedule
- Donahoe Cup: Registration Form
Sacred Heart Instructional Materials
Beginners- Outline of Responsibility
- Summary of Steps
- Case construction
- Flow Chart of a Demonstration Debate
- Main skills
- Note taking
