Online debating academy · Australia-wide
Coached by championship debaters.
Illustration of a student speaking confidently at a lectern, with colourful speech bubbles rising around them.
Small online debating classes for high-school students, coached by debaters who've competed at the highest level.
- Australasian champions
- NSW & Australia representatives
- Classes of 4–6
- Australasian champions
- World Schools Debating Championship grand-finalists
- National Schools Debating Champion
- NSW state representatives
- Australian Intervarsity Debating Championship best speakers
- National chief adjudicator
- Classes of 4–6, cameras on
- Weekly seminars & newsletters
- Parent-aware sessions
The coaches
Meet the founders.
Every coach has either represented their state or country in debating, or holds a major university debating championship.
Jehiel Pather
Founder & Head Coach
- NSW State Team
- Australasian Debating Championship — champion
- Deputy Chief Adjudicator, Australian Intervarsity Debating Championship 2026
Oliver Bardsley
Founder & Coach
- Australasian Debating Championship — champion
- Australian Intervarsity Championship — best speaker
Jade Di Girolamo
Founder & Coach
- NSW State Squad
- Chief Adjudicator, Australian Intervarsity Debating Championship 2027
- Evatt Model UN Competition — NSW State Champion
How you learn
Learning throughout the week.
01Sent to you
Weekly newsletter
A short read — one concept, one model, and what to practise before class.
02Sent to you
Recorded seminar
A recorded seminar that goes deeper on the week's concept — watch it any time before class.
03Live in class
In-class quizzes
Quick quizzes that check the week's ideas have landed before you use them.
04Live in class
Live debates
A debate every session, with coaching in the moment and feedback your child can act on.
The result
Students our coaches have trained have made state teams and won national debating championships.
My son's debating coach is exceptional and deeply committed to his growth. He builds confidence and sharpens his critical thinking. His encouragement and expertise have helped my son become a persuasive speaker. We are grateful for his dedication.
— Parent of a student who made the NSW State Team
Programs & pricing
A weekly class, or private coaching.
Most families start with the weekly term class. Both run online with cameras on.
Term group classes
- Classes of 4–6 students, grouped by year level
- Weekly newsletter and recorded seminar included
- A debate with feedback every session
- Cameras on, parent-aware
Private coaching
- One to one, built around your child's goals
- Weekly newsletter and recorded seminar included
- By application — places are limited
Full details on the Programs page. Fees are in Australian dollars and include GST.
Child safety
How we keep students safe online.
The short version is below. The full detail is on the child-safety page.
- Every coach holds a verified Working With Children Check, checked before their first class.
- Sessions use waiting rooms and named admission, are recorded with parental consent, and are parent-aware.
- No private messaging between coaches and students — all contact runs through parents or monitored channels.
Illustration of a live online class: four cameras-on participants in a video call, one student speaking, with live coach feedback.
FAQ
Answers for parents.
The questions we hear most. The full list lives on the contact page — or just ask us directly.
Is this online or in person?
Everything runs online over video, so students can join from anywhere in Australia or overseas. Classes are small and cameras stay on.
How big are the classes?
Term group classes have 4 to 6 students, so everyone speaks and gets feedback every session. Private coaching is one to one.
Who does the coaching?
Our founders, Jehiel Pather, Oliver Bardsley and Jade Di Girolamo, are Australasian champions, state representatives and a national chief adjudicator. Every coach has represented their state or country in debating, or holds a major university debating championship. Full profiles are on the Coaches page.
What happens between classes?
Every week your child gets a newsletter and a recorded seminar, then quizzes and live debates in class. Progress builds through the term.
What year levels is it for?
High-school students, Years 7 to 12. Tell us your child's year level when you enquire and we'll place them in the right class.
Start here
Small classes with high-level coaches, every week.
Tell us your child's year level and we'll place them in the right term class. Classes are capped at 4–6 students.