On Sunday 14 September, the Grand Finals of the Gold Coast Debating competition were held at Bond University, ending the season for students in Year 7 to Year 12.

This year, we entered 27 teams into the GCD competition, and they debated against teams from schools across the Gold Coast, as far south as Lindisfarne Anglican School and as far north as Rivermount College. The teams demonstrated resilience, tenacity and eagerness in their debates and were keen to develop their debating skills.

The following achievements are notable:

• In the Junior B division, Team 1 (Alyssa, Ivy, Makena, Sara, Terrena) and Team 4 (Chanuga, Nina, Rhyder, Thomas) were runners-up
• Team 3 (Amy, Gaby, Jessie, Nikita) and Team 8 (Aarya, Alyssa, Eric, Sophie) in the Junior A division made it to the semi-finals
• In the Intermediate A division, Team 4 (Jinyu, Lana, Lucy, Peiwen) were knocked out at the quarter-finals by Team 6 (Aaleen, Charlotte, Reetliv, Soraya, Zainab), who made it to the semi-finals; Team 2 (Caitlyn, Mimi, Seyara, Teresa) were also knocked out in the quarter-finals.

Team 2 (Ayub, Dinuki, Lilium, Miki, Seeret) and Team 3 (Byron, Finlay, Kaleb, Mitchell) in the Open A division progressed as far as the quarter finals.

Overall, this season was another successful one for A.B. Paterson College debaters as they grew in their teamwork and commitment. 

There are a number of people to thank, including Acting Director of Co-Curricular Activities, Matt Stopel and Head of Co-Curricular Sport, Sara Eade; volunteer student coaches in Years 10-12; the staff who supervised students at debating venues; and parents for supporting their children with attending these venues.

Kelly Whiteway | Debating Coordinator