How Xavier College builds confidence through debating and public speaking

At Xavier College, debating and public speaking are about far more than learning how to stand up and speak well. They are about helping students grow into thoughtful, articulate and confident young men.

As a Jesuit school, Xavier is a proud custodian of the tradition of Eloquentia Perfecta, the belief that true eloquence comes from the union of knowledge, wisdom, character and expression. It is a tradition that continues to shape the College’s approach to debating and public speaking today.

Through the program, students develop the confidence to communicate clearly, the discipline to think critically and the moral grounding to argue with purpose and respect. These are skills that serve boys well not only in competition, but in the classroom, in leadership and in life beyond school.

At the Senior School, more than 250 students across Years 7–12 are involved in debating and public speaking each year. The breadth of the program means boys can begin at any stage, whether they are trying debating for the first time or seeking high-level competition and extension opportunities.

For many students, the journey begins in Years 7 and 8. As part of Xavier’s performative co-curricular life, boys are encouraged to step outside their comfort zone and experience debating in a supportive environment. Weekly lunchtime training sessions help students build foundational skills in argument, rebuttal, speech delivery and teamwork. These sessions are led by a combination of expert coaches and older students, creating a culture in which boys learn from both experience and example.

One of the highlights for younger students is the annual Junior Oratory Symposium, hosted by Xavier College each June. Bringing together schools from across Melbourne, the event offers an exciting opportunity for students to experience a wider debating community and to grow in confidence through dialogue and friendly competition. Students in Years 7 and 8 also compete in the DAV Junior Schools Program across multiple divisions and take part in internal Neighbourhood Debates, which help strengthen the culture of public speaking within each year level.

From Years 9 to 12, students can participate in the DAV Schools Debating Competition, the largest English-speaking high school debating competition in the world. Competing against schools from across Victoria, Xavier teams take part in a series of debates throughout the year before progressing to finals competition. In recent years, the College has enjoyed strong success, including a Grand Final victory in 2023 and increasing numbers of teams reaching finals.

Just as importantly, the program gives students the chance to refine their skills through regular, high-quality coaching. Xavier students in Years 9–11 take part in weekly after-school training sessions led by DAV-accredited coaches and staff, developing the confidence and composure needed to perform under pressure and communicate with impact.

For students looking to extend themselves even further, Xavier offers a rich range of additional opportunities. These include the Sydney Developmental Debating Trip, the Rotary Gardens and Ainger Peck public speaking competitions, the Model UN Evatt Tournament, the Monash Asian Studies Debating Tournament, DAV British Parliamentary Debating, Harvard University World Series Debating, Oxford University British Parliamentary Debating, and the annual Jesuit Debating Carnival involving Jesuit schools from across Australia.

These experiences allow students to test themselves in different formats, meet like-minded peers and broaden their understanding of the world. They also encourage independence, resilience and intellectual curiosity, qualities that are central to a Jesuit education.

More broadly, debating and public speaking are woven into the academic and cultural life of Xavier College. Teacher v Student debates, interschool exhibition debates, inter-year debates and the House Debating Competition all contribute to a culture in which speaking, listening and respectful argument are valued. Students are regularly given opportunities to participate, perform and grow.

A signature feature of the program is the Coppens Public Speaking Tournament, a Years 7–12 competition in which all students take part. The tournament culminates in a Grand Final and Oratory Celebration Evening attended by students, staff and families, showcasing the confidence, skill and development of Xavier boys across the year.

At Xavier College, debating and public speaking help students do more than find their voice. They help them learn how to use it well, with confidence, intelligence, integrity and purpose.