Contact
403.938.4431
Alumni consistently name public speaking among the most valuable skills they gained at STS, and it’s easy to see why. From classroom presentations and student-led assemblies to competitive teams and Speech Day, students at every level get real opportunities to speak, persuade, and lead. The result is a graduate who can walk into any room, organize their thinking under pressure, and communicate with clarity and conviction.
There’s a difference between speaking and being heard. At STS, students learn both. Through Speech, Debate, and Model United Nations, they develop the craft of communication: how to build an argument, read a room, and deliver a message with presence. They also develop the character it requires — intellectual honesty, respect for opposing views, and the confidence to stand behind their ideas.
Open to students from Grade 7 through Grade 12, speech teams meet weekly for coaching, guided practice, and performance across a range of speaking formats. Whether preparing for local tournaments or world competition, students push beyond their comfort zone and find their own voice in the process.
Students develop:
Debate teaches students to think on their feet and hold their ground — with evidence, not volume. Meeting weekly for coaching and competition preparation, students learn to construct rigorous arguments, engage opposing perspectives fairly, and grow sharper with every round. Local and provincial competitions give them the chance to test what they’ve built.
Students develop:
STS is the only school in Alberta with membership in the International Independent School Public Speaking Competition, a selective event that draws exceptional speakers from independent schools around the world. Students compete across multiple categories, and several STS alumni have gone on to qualify for the World Individual Public Speaking Championship. It’s a rare stage, and STS students have proven they belong on it.
Since 1948, Speech Day has marked the moment students step up and show what they’re made of. One of STS’s longest-standing traditions, it traces its roots to the school’s founding institutions and has endured ever since. Built through English classes and school-wide speaking opportunities throughout the year, the event is a genuine celebration of preparation, of courage, and of the student voice STS has worked to develop for over seven decades. Few traditions say more about a school’s values than this one.
Model United Nations (MUN) is where public speaking meets global citizenship. Students research world issues, represent a country’s position, and learn the language of diplomacy. They practice collaboration, negotiation, and persuasive speaking, all while navigating real-world complexity.
MUN begins in Grade 9 as a full-day simulation embedded in the program. Students work through real-world challenges, build coalitions, and draft resolutions. Senior School students take on leadership roles and plan the conference.
Senior School students travel to MUN conferences across Canada, including Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, as well as select international experiences, including New York. Students apply their skills, collaborate with peers, and engage with global issues at each conference.
Stay connected with stories, updates, and perspectives from our community.
Explore Next
Explore Next
Explore Next
Explore Next