The ability to speak confidently and to debate important issues passionately and persuasively is vitally important. Debating is a rigorous and challenging activity that requires considerable dedication, enthusiasm and teamwork. Students learn to think quickly, make interesting links and formulate cohesive arguments under pressure. A team sport, the most successful teams are those made up of individuals willing to work cooperatively and collaboratively. Debating is a fun and challenging way to increase general knowledge and to build up skills necessary for success in the HSC and beyond.

Bishop Druitt College participates in the NSW HICES (Heads of Independent Co-Educational Schools Association) Debating Competition each year. Debaters from Year 6 through to Year 11 travel to schools around the region in the preliminary rounds, venturing further afield for the finals. The college is building a very strong reputation in the field of public speaking and debating, with great results across the various divisions as well as some standout individual performances.

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was one of the world’s greatest thinkers and scholars. The original Renaissance man demonstrated an ability to perceive the interconnected nature of knowledge and embraced learning with a lifelong passion and determination to uncover the unknown. The Decathlon competition places a particular emphasis on higher-order thinking skills, problem solving and creativity. 

Each year Bishop Druitt College students from Years 7 - 10 participate in this academic competition designed to challenge and stimulate the minds of school students. Students compete in teams of eight across 10 disciplines: engineering, mathematics and chess, code-breaking, art and poetry, science, English, ideation, creative production, cartography and general knowledge.

At the heart of the Philosothon is the community of inquiry, a student-run group discussion and cooperative investigation of philosophical issues. Topics fall into a range of categories including ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, social and political philosophy, and aesthetics.  

BDC hosts the Northern Region Philosothon in Term 4 each year. This two-day event is designed to help students develop skills in inquiry-based learning, ethical reasoning and higher-order reflective thinking, as they search for meaning through dialogue about open questions and contestable concepts. 

Environment Group is open to Year 10 students at Bishop Druitt College. Environment Group students participate in a diverse range of environmental activities including bush regeneration, beach clean ups, recycling, habitat protection and environmental awareness raising. 

Students actively participate in the Tree Parents Program in partnership with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, which is designed to increase the koala population in Bongil Bongil National Park. 

Environment Group students culminate their year with the annual Environment Group Camp in Term 4 visiting the Mt Jerusalem National Park in Northern NSW.

The Human Rights Group is a student run group that meets at lunchtime to address issues of social justice with the aim of contributing positively to the school and wider community. Students from Year 7 - 12 meet weekly to discuss pertinent issues of the day including racism, sexism, poverty, asylum seekers and refugees. 

The Human Rights Group run the Harmony Day, Refugee Week and White Ribbon assemblies, as well as volunteering and fundraising to support community organisations such as Zonta, Warina Women's Refuge and Startts. At all times the expression of student voice is paramount, allowing the students to help shape and transform their learning community.