In their words

Which schools suit what your child loves?

Search for a sport, instrument, subject or worry to see which Brisbane schools people mention it at, and what they said. Tick up to three schools to compare them.

TopicAny topic (optional)

School type, fees, areaAny

Start again

21 schools where people talk about “debating”.

Also counting related words: debate, public speaking. Schools where “debating” itself comes up are listed first.

Order:Best matchMost talked about Lowest fees A to Z

How we work these numbers out

Order. “Best match” puts schools where your exact word comes up first. “Most talked about” uses the share of reviews that mention it. Neither is a ranking of how good a school is.
Comes up in X% of reviews is the share of the school's reviews that mention your search. The Brisbane average is the same share across all Brisbane schools.
Speak well, mixed or raise concerns is worked out by software, using only the sentences about your search. It's right most of the time but not always, so read what people said.
What students did comes from the sports and activities former students ticked in their review. We show it when at least 3 answered.
Evidence is strong when 5 or more of at least 10 reviews mention it, some when 2 or more people do, and thin when only one person does.
Facts such as fees, ATAR and enrolments come from each school's own documents. Fees cover different year levels at different schools, so compare carefully.
Open Day Reflections come from our visits to 2026 open days. They're useful, but they reflect the school's own voice.

Anglican Church Grammar School
Boys · Independent · East Brisbane
- Fees $36,232 a year (2026, Years 11-12)
- Sport GPS
- Median ATAR 90.85 (2025)source
- Students 1,895
- Boarding (boys only)
Some evidence3 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
Comes up in 18% of 11 reviews · 4.2× the Brisbane average (4%)
This school 18% Brisbane 4%
Of 6 comments: 5 speak well of it
0 of 10 former students who listed their sports played Debating
- Open Day Reflection Student: “…extremely important here. And then you also have chess and debating […] [football and basketball are] going really”
- Review Former student: “…to film studies. Beyond that, co-curriculars like debating, sports, and outdoor education trips encouraged us to…”
5 more review mentions and 1 more Open Day Reflection. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for independent and Catholic schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.
Get Full Access Sign in
School profile →
St Joseph's Nudgee College
Boys · Catholic · Boondall
- Fees $25,035 a year (2026, Year 12)
- Sport GPS
- Median ATAR 88.6 (2025)source
- Students 1,720
- Boarding (boys only)
Some evidence4 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
Comes up in 0% of 4 reviews · Brisbane average (4%)
This school 0% Brisbane 4%
Of 4 comments: 1 speaks well of it
- Open Day Reflection Current parent: “…this school because there's everything here […] You've got debating, you've got chess and all the kind of nerdy stuff, and…”
4 more Open Day Reflections. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for independent and Catholic schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.
Get Full Access Sign in
School profile →
Brisbane State High School
Co-ed · State, competitive entry · South Brisbane
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Sport GPS (boys), QGSSSA (girls)
- Median ATAR 94.4 (2025)source
- Students 3,569
Some evidence4 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
Comes up in 11% of 36 reviews · 2.6× the Brisbane average (4%)
This school 11% Brisbane 4%
Of 4 comments: 3 speak well of it
2 of 17 former students who listed their sports played Debating
Review Subject range and curiosity
…music, and sport-focused electives. There were also a lot of extracurricular activities like debating, clubs, and representative sport, which helped students explore interests outside the classroom. Some subjects had hands-on projects or excursions, which made learning more engaging and went beyond just… Read all
Yes, Brisbane State High offered a wide range of subject choices, from sciences and humanities to arts, music, and sport-focused electives. There were also a lot of extracurricular activities like debating, clubs, and representative sport, which helped students explore interests outside the classroom. Some subjects had hands-on projects or excursions, which made learning more engaging and went beyond just preparing for exams.
James S · Former student, finished Year 12 in 2022–24 · written 2025Academic pressure and results Subjects and senior pathways
- Review Former student: “quality of debating coaches were hit or miss to be honest, depending on whether they were a student coach or a teacher…”
- Review Parent: “child really enjoyed debating; it was very inclusive and everyone who trialled got into a team. My child was nervous at…”
3 more review mentions. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for competitive-entry state schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.
Get Full Access Sign in
School profile →
St Joseph’s College (Gregory Terrace)
Boys · Catholic · Spring Hill
- Fees $26,439 a year (2026, Years 7-12)
- Sport GPS
- Median ATAR 93.35 (2024)source
- Students 1,959
Some evidence2 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
Comes up in 6% of 18 reviews · about the Brisbane average (4%)
This school 6% Brisbane 4%
Of 2 comments: 1 speaks well of it
2 of 13 former students who listed their sports played Debating
- Open Day Reflection Teacher: “…doesn't have to be sport. It [can be] music, it can be debating, there'll be chess, there'll be the service”
- Review Former student: “…guidance sessions and many extracurricular activities like debating and public”
1 more review mention and 1 more Open Day Reflection. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for independent and Catholic schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.
Get Full Access Sign in
School profile →
St Rita's College
Girls · Catholic · Clayfield
- Fees $16,685 a year (2026, Year 12, revised July 2026 schedule)
- Sport CaSSSA
- Students 1,222
Some evidence2 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
Comes up in 25% of 8 reviews · 5.8× the Brisbane average (4%)
This school 25% Brisbane 4%
Of 2 comments: 1 speaks well of it
0 of 6 former students who listed their sports played Debating
- Review Former student: “mostly, there was clubs available like debating equestrian waterpolo netball higher achievement workshops and…”
2 more review mentions. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for independent and Catholic schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.
Get Full Access Sign in
School profile →
Brisbane Boys' College
Boys · Independent · Toowong
- Fees $36,492 a year (2026, Years 7-12)
- Sport GPS
- Median ATAR 90.05 (2025)source
- Students 1,314
- Boarding (boys only)
Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.
Comes up in 8% of 12 reviews · 1.9× the Brisbane average (4%)
This school 8% Brisbane 4%
Of 1 comment: 1 speaks well of it
1 of 7 former students who listed their sports played Debating
- Review Former student: “…extra curriculars such as public speaking and debating helps students hone many essential soft skills for the…”
1 more review mention. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for independent and Catholic schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.
Get Full Access Sign in
School profile →
Cannon Hill Anglican College
Co-ed · Independent · Cannon Hill
- Fees $21,456 a year (2026, Years 7-12, all-inclusive single tuition fee)
- Sport TAS
- Students 1,364
Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.
Comes up in 7% of 15 reviews · 1.6× the Brisbane average (4%)
This school 7% Brisbane 4%
Of 1 comment: 1 speaks well of it
2 of 9 former students who listed their sports played Debating
1 more review mention. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for independent and Catholic schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.
Get Full Access Sign in
School profile →
Centenary State High School
Co-ed · State · Jindalee
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Students 1,676
Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.
Comes up in 20% of 5 reviews · 4.7× the Brisbane average (4%)
This school 20% Brisbane 4%
Of 1 comment: 1 speaks well of it
Review Would you recommend it?
…competitions and are fighting their way through higher level comps. The school has an outstanding debating and public speaking endeavour. I have adjudicated and competed at the national level, and have placed in competitions by the english speaking union and U.N youth. Read all
I would definitely recommend the school. I was the kind of student to do all kinds of extra curricular activities and the school had provided plenty of opportunities for all kinds of students. Their performance plus program and participation into CGEN competitions is a great creative outlet for arts students to develop their talents and gain exposure to industry and community. The school is also a regular sporting competitor at the state level, and has a competitive spirit that cannot be ignored across all sports programs. I was part of the basketball team, and have seen students excel in athletics, swimming, rugby, touch football and many more. The school has also welcomed a serious chess program, with mentors, a FIDE master, and chess teachers paving the way for students to get better at the game. Students have also regularly placed in district competitions and are fighting their way through higher level comps. The school has an outstanding debating and public speaking endeavour. I have adjudicated and competed at the national level, and have placed in competitions by the english speaking union and U.N youth.
Seth Ryan M. · Former student, finished Year 12 in 2022–24 · written 2025The school overall Who thrives here
School profile →
Indooroopilly State High School
Co-ed · State · Indooroopilly
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Students 2,910
Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.
Comes up in 4% of 23 reviews · about the Brisbane average (4%)
This school 4% Brisbane 4%
Of 1 comment: 1 speaks well of it
0 of 5 former students who listed their sports played Debating
Review Subject range and curiosity
My school offered a solid range of subject choices, especially in the sciences and humanities, but I sometimes wished there were more options in the arts or technology fields. The school encouraged curiosity through science fairs, debating competitions, and community service projects.
DC · Former student, finished Year 12 in 2022–24 · written 2025Subjects and senior pathways Music, drama and art
School profile →
Kenmore State High School
Co-ed · State · Kenmore
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Students 1,982
Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.
Comes up in 25% of 4 reviews · 5.8× the Brisbane average (4%)
This school 25% Brisbane 4%
Of 1 comment: 1 speaks well of it
1 more review mention. A free account opens it, and you don't need a card.
Create free account Sign in
School profile →
MacGregor State High School
Co-ed · State · MacGregor
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Students 1,352
Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.
Comes up in 25% of 4 reviews · 5.8× the Brisbane average (4%)
This school 25% Brisbane 4%
Of 1 comment: 1 speaks well of it
- Review Former student: “…opportunities to develop outside the classroom including debating, maths competitions, and many more. I don't think we…”
1 more review mention. A free account opens it, and you don't need a card.
Create free account Sign in
School profile →
Mary MacKillop College
Girls · Catholic · Nundah
- Fees $7,304 a year (2026, Year 12, first child)
- Sport CaSSSA
- Students 625
Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.
0 of 1 review so far mention it
Too few reviews to compare with other schools.
Of 1 comment: 1 speaks well of it
- Open Day Reflection Staff member: “…just kind of gave me motivation […] So I decided to do debating […] And my public speaking [improved], so I was like,…”
1 more Open Day Reflection. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for independent and Catholic schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.
Get Full Access Sign in
School profile →

Show all 21 schools

Reviews come from parents and former students whose link to the school we've checked. Open Day Reflections come from our recordings at 2026 open days. Words in [brackets] were unclear, and […] marks a skipped part. They reflect the school's own voice, so read them alongside the reviews. How reviews work