Debating at St Rita’s College follows a proud tradition spanning more than 40 years and is offered across all year levels. The College is a member of both the Queensland Debating Union (QDU) and the Brisbane Girls Debating Association (BGDA), providing students with opportunities to participate in a range of competitive debating formats.

The BGDA competition is an all-girls debating competition featuring short-preparation debates, while the QDU competition is open to students from Years 5–12 and includes a combination of long-preparation and short-preparation debates. Through these competitions, students engage with current issues and develop their ability to think critically, communicate persuasively and respond effectively under pressure.

Through debating and its intellectual exchange, students can develop skills in critical thinking, problem solving, public speaking and general confidence.

St Rita’s is regarded as a prominent challenger in debating, with an excellent record of Finals qualifying teams and students among the top debaters in State trials. Our debating teams are well supported and coached by experienced internal and external staff, with a number of past students providing mentoring.

Students of St Rita’s have also been holders of the United Nations Hammarskjöld Debating Trophy, awarded to the champion school in Queensland.

Through the QDU Mooting Competition, our debaters have the opportunity to compete for a scholarship to study Law at Bond University.

Opportunities for individual public speaking extend to the UN Youth Voice Competition. As delegates of a country, students are provided with extensive coaching and argue for diplomatic considerations on global issues. St Rita’s is a respected competitor, with students often advancing to Regional and State Competitions.