Welcome to the Term 4 edition of the Seriously Social newsletter. 

This year’s Social Sciences Week provided the stage for the inaugural Great Student Debate.

We were delighted to welcome schools from Central Queensland and Western Australia as they tackled the topic: That Australian history unites us. Planning for the 2026 Great Student Debate is now underway, with the new topic: That Australian politics is alive and well. 

In this newsletter, you will find an overview of this year’s debate, along with information and resources to help your school enter the 2026 competition. You will also meet my colleague Dr Linda Botterill, a leading political scientist who has generously reviewed various Seriously Social materials and has been an invaluable supporter as a judge of the Great Student Debate. You can also read an interview with Education Committee member Professor Martin Mills, who advocates for the great work of teachers. 

Much has been happening across Seriously Social, including the continued development of Year 9 and 10 World Wars history resources, with fourteen of the Academy’s Fellows, who are leading Australian historians, providing content information and peer review. These learning modules that will include reading articles, an interactive timeline and educational videos are due for release in March 2026. We look forward to providing you with updated information about these resources, the growing 2026 Social Sciences Week program and more in the new school year.  

This will be my last comment as Chair of the Education Committee as I conclude my three-year term at the end of this year. I am delighted that Professor Lyn Yates from the University of Melbourne will succeed me. She has been an active member of the Committee and well engaged with the work that Cindy Bin Tahal drives so well from the Academy Secretariat. 

Until then, from all of us at Seriously Social, we wish you a well-deserved and safe holiday season. 

Social Sciences Week

Social Sciences Week (SSW) is held each September and offers schools across Australia a variety of ways to get involved — from participating in Academy-led activities to hosting their own events. Schools will be updated across Seriously Social media platforms and term newsletters of available opportunities for 2026 SSW that will take place during 12-20 September 2026. 

The Great Student Debate 2025

One of the major highlights of this year’s SSW calendar was The Great Student Debate that was made possible through the generous support and collaboration of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, National Library of Australia and University of Canberra. Calliope State High School (Central Queensland) and Carmel Adventist College (Western Australia) were selected to participate in this event. Both teams travelled to Canberra to take part. Prior to the debate, students participated in a tour of the National Library of Australia, and workshops that covered debate skills, voice and speech topics, and Wellbeing: Foundations for Respectful Civic Engagement. That afternoon, both schools did a fabulous job of debating the topic, “that Australian history unites us".  

Calliope State High School teacher, Scott Townley-Jones reflected on the experience of his students: 

“The students still talk daily about things that happened in Canberra. I really think it’s a moment they’ll remember vividly for the rest of their lives. I cannot thank you and the team enough for the professionalism and kindness you displayed in helping fill the kids with the courage to perform. I think seeing something like debating on a big stage is a big pull for kids who only see sporting achievements recognised.” 

Left to right: Heather, Declan and Mia (Carmel Adventist College), on stage at the National Library of Australia competing in the Great Student Debate. 

Back row, left to right: Nicole and Linda (Teachers, Carmel Adventist College), Cindy (Education Director, Seriously Social), Chris (CEO, Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia), Thomas (Senior Lecturer, University of Canberra), Linda (Fellow, Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia), Barney (Dean of Education, University of Canberra), Bernard (Senior Lecturer, University of Canberra), Luke (Assistant Director General Engagement, National Library of Australia), Scott (Teacher, Calliope State High School), Ben (Program Manager – Education, National Library of Australia), Karlee (Assistant Director – Lifelong Learning, National Library of Australia).  

Front row, left to right: Heather, Declan, Mia (Carmel Adventist College), Callum, Chloe, Gabby (Calliope State High School). 

The Great Student Debate 2026

“That Australian politics is alive and well"

The 2026 Great Student Debate – “That Australian politics is alive and well” will take place on Thursday 17 September at the National Library of Australia. We hope to hear from many schools from across the nation. 

Applications will open in January 2026 and will require coordinating teachers to submit plans from a debate team and associated entry forms, as outlined in the application pack.  

Selected Great Student Debate participants will receive:  

• A debate coaching workshop led by experts ahead of the competition, 

• a contribution to travel costs to attend the debate workshop and competition in Canberra, and

• the chance to showcase skills at a live debate at the National Library of Australia. 

Schools are also able to access additional funding to support their travel for the Great Student Debate through the Parliamentary and Civics Education Rebate programme

What's New?

Debate resources

Head to Seriously Social to find a variety of debate resources to assist with 2026 Great Student Debate applications or to enhance students’ learning in the classroom. New resources recently added include: 

• this new Seriously Social video that captures students’ perspectives on their learning experiences through debate, . 

• a new video that features two educators discussing their approaches to integrating debate into classroom practice that is due to drop any day now! 

To help schools prepare for the 2026 Great Student Debate, take a look at: 

• The Seriously Social debate guide for classroom teachers,

• a NEW debate kit with a focus on the 2026 Great Student Debate topic – That Australian politics is alive and well,

• the Great Student Debate 2026 application pack.

Meet the Seriously Social Experts

Linda brings her political science expertise to inform curriculum resources and enrich the Great Student Debate. Over the past two years, she has generously contributed as a judge, supporting students to engage critically with contemporary political issues. 

Linda is a Visiting Fellow in the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University. Before retiring in 2024, she was Professor of Australian Politics in the Faculty of Business, Government & Law at the University of Canberra. Her research spans Australian rural politics, the role of personal values in political rhetoric and persuasion, and builds on nearly fifteen years as a public policy practitioner in the Australian Public Service, industry associations, and as an adviser to two federal Ministers. She has also served as President of the Australian Political Studies Association (2014–15). 

Seriously Social and the Academy’s Education Committee provide support for teachers through learning modules developed with guidance from leading research experts. These modules offer adaptable classroom content, providing a full scope and sequence for teaching and learning or reliable, research-informed material to complement and enhance existing lesson planning and delivery. Offerings are also expanding to include debate as a teaching method, showcased through the growing Seriously Social Great Student Debate concept. 

Connect

Feedback and further inquiries are welcome via email: info@socialsciences.org.au.  

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