On Sunday 14 September, our two QAHS Grand Final Debating teams – Open A QHS 2 and Intermediate B QHS 1 - showcased their talent as critical thinkers with flair on the public stage, when they represented the Academy in their respective Debating divisions. The quality of the team cases presented in each Grand Final was exceptionally high with the following challenging topics being debated by our students:
Intermediate B QHS (Affirmative):
We expect too much from artificial intelligence.
Open A (Negative):
Humanity is better at creating problems than solving them.
Our teams prepared compelling team cases in the limited preparation time allowed after receiving their allocated topics for the first time – Intermediate B students worked together to prepare their team's case in 1½ hours, while the Open A team's preparation time was limited to 1 hour.
In each Grand Final Debate, the depth of critical analysis and cogent communication of key ideas and arguments, supported by current, relevant evidence was impressive, and is a testament to the global and critical thinking skills our students develop as they progress through the International Baccalaureate curriculum.
Once again, we congratulate our QAHS Debating teams that qualified for the Grand Final:
Intermediate B QHS 1:
Millie Morphett, Saskia Knevitt, Remi Hoile, Sofia Bedra, Xixi Wang
Open A QHS 2:
Kiara Pellegrino, Prince Sidiangco, Izabella Wilson, Johanna Lee, Kiran Sen
Although the QAHS Intermediate B and Open A Grand Finalists were narrowly defeated in extremely close debates against Coomera Anglican College and Somerset College, respectively, we congratulate them for the exceptional manner in which they argued their team's case and represented the Academy. Notably, our Intermediate B Grand Finalists had never debated prior to commencing at QAHS. Similarly, our Open A Grand Final runners-up are a team of Year 11 students debating together for the first time in 2025. In their journey to qualify for their place in the Grand Final they defeated many Open A teams consisting solely of Year 12 students. I hope that each of these outstanding debaters will return to represent QAHS in Debating again next year as their talents are much needed and highly valued.
Thank you to all of the parents and other members of the QAHS community who attended the Grand Final Debates to support our students. A special 'shout out' must go to QAHS Alumni Riley Knowles, Mathilda Bester and Matilda Heufel, who each received an 'Outstanding Adjudication' award for their commitment and dedication to representing QAHS as Adjudicators for the Gold Coast Debating Competition, throughout 2025. I would also like to extend my thanks to each of the parents of the 96 QAHS students who chose to represent the Academy in Debating in 2025. Your provision of transport and support of our Debaters is very much appreciated as it provides the foundation necessary for our students' growth and development as debaters, as well as for their demonstrated successes.
Congratulations, 2025 Grand Finalists on your achievements in the Gold Coast Debating Competition this year! I look forward to the continuing participation of our current Year 10 and 11 Debaters as they progress to Years 11 and 12 respectively, in 2026, and to welcoming our new Year 10 QAHS students to our thriving Debating cohort.
Karen Mackie
Debating Coordinator