After the Gold Coast Debating season was cancelled prematurely in 2020, Debating at QAHS has returned with renewed strength this year, with 12 debating teams involving 59 students across Years 10-12, choosing to represent QAHS in the 2021 Gold Coast Debating Competition.
The four Preliminary Debating rounds have now been completed, and although we are yet to receive confirmation from the Gold Coast Debating Association regarding which of our teams have qualified for the Finals series in Term 3, our teams' respective win/loss records indicate that at least five QAHS debating teams will be continuing through to the knock-out Finals series next term because they have won three or more debates this season. A special mention must be given to our Year 10 Intermediate A Team 3, who have won each of their four Preliminary Debates – well done to Ruby Jay, Kiko Kagiyama, Elissa Kaluka, Mathilda Bester and Jessica Ashe – an amazing team effort! I will be very pleased to inform our community when we receive confirmation from Gold Coast Debating, of which particular students and QAHS Debating teams have qualified for the Term 3 Debating Finals series.
On behalf of the QAHS community, I would like to commend each of our 59 debating students for the commitment and dedication they have shown to themselves, their team members and to representing the Academy, throughout this Debating season. Each team presented their full cohort for each Preliminary debate, as expected, but they also participated in their last Preliminary debate of the season during the Semester 1 Exam Block – an outstanding example of what it means to be 'Principled' as an IB Learner. Well done QAHS Debaters – we thank you for your efforts.
Karen Mackie
Debating Coordinator