Welcome to the DAV Website
The DAV is a non-profit association which exists to promote debate. It
is the peak debating body in Victoria and runs large competitions for
adults and for schools across Victoria. It provides training and
resources for debaters, teachers and adjudicators.
The 2023 Information Pack is available here and online protocols are available here.
Registration for both programs is open for 2023 and can be completed via this form.
Registration closes at 5pm on Monday 17 July or as regions reach capacity. Registration for Essendon and Heyington regions will be extended to Monday 31 July.
About the Program
The Junior Secondary Program (JSP) is an introduction to debating for junior secondary students in years 7 and 8 who have not participated in the DAV Schools Competition. The program is designed to provide training in the basic skills and structure of debating whilst also giving students an opportunity to participate in three 'friendly' inter-school debates.
The JSP runs over four sessions in Terms 3/4 in various regions throughout Victoria. This year we will be offering both an online and face to face program.
2023 topics for face to face and online programs will be:
Face to Face Program Details
Online Program Details
Online Format
The training component of the program includes:
Introductory training
DAV trainers will introduce students to the art of persuasion and look at how debates work. Students will learn how to formulate arguments, how to define topics, and the role of each speaker in a debate.
The best way to consolidate skills is with interactive activities, so the training component includes various games where students work in smaller groups.
Demonstration debate
DAV adjudicators will act as debaters in an exhibition debate, showcasing high quality speeches to provide practical examples of what the students are taught.
Rebuttal seminars
After students have participated in an actual debate, they will take part in an extension training session in which they will work with trainers to discuss the role of rebuttal and different ways of approaching it.
Extended adjudication
Following the final debate, adjudicators will spend extra time giving feedback to students which aims to consolidate the skills learnt in the training component of the program.
Registration:
Coordinators can register students for either program via the form provided via email.
*Schools may register teams in both face to face and online competitions, but the teams cannot be composed of the same students*.
Registration for both programs is open for 2023 and can be completed via this form
Registration closes at 5pm on Monday 17 July or as regions reach capacity. Registration for Essendon and Heyington regions will be extended to Monday 31 July.
Click here for a list of dates and regions for the onsite program. To recieve more information by email, please contact the office at debater@dav.com.au.