Last Saturday, two QAHS teams travelled to QUT to compete in the finals of the BlueShift Business Case Competition, one of the most exciting business case competitions on the secondary school calendar. With 19 finalist teams from schools across Australia, the field was strong and the standard was high.
BlueShift challenges secondary students to develop innovative, well-researched solutions to real-world business problems, then present and defend those solutions in front of an expert panel of judges. It is the kind of experience that demands clear thinking, genuine collaboration and the ability to perform under pressure. There are the qualities that QAHS students demonstrated in abundance on the day.
Team Altin, comprising of Year 11 students Sofia, Lina and Xixi, delivered an exceptional performance from start to finish. Progressing through their heat and into the Champions Round, they finished as one of the top four teams in the entire competition, ultimately claiming second place overall. It was a result that reflects not only the quality of their pitch on the day but the significant preparation and commitment behind it. Congratulations to Sofia, Lina and Xixi, who also ended up with some impressive prizes, including a $100 gift card and stylish Frank Green water bottle.
Team Strive, made up of Matthew, Noah, Liam and Jay, represented QAHS with confidence and composure throughout the day. They delivered a strong pitch in their heat and made the most of every opportunity the competition had to offer, including the networking sessions and, by all accounts, a well-earned box of Subway along the way. That willingness to engage fully with the experience, not just the competition itself, speaks to exactly the kind of learners they are.
Both teams embodied the qualities of an IB learner profile throughout the day, demonstrating collaboration, communication and creative thinking in a genuinely competitive environment. Events like BlueShift provide students with a meaningful window into the world of business and innovation, and the confidence gained from performing on that stage will serve them well beyond the classroom.
We congratulate both teams and thank QUT for continuing to offer such a rich and rewarding opportunity for secondary students across the region.
Dion Obst
HOD Global Connect