Language Arts
Debating
Archdale Representative team
Pymble hosted an Archdale representative round in the library on Monday 16 September. Congratulations to Kitty He (Year 10), Maya Garg (Year 11), and Amy Zhang (Year 11) who were all selected to be part of the igsa representative team who debated three representative GPS teams. The GPS boys won two debates and the igsa girls won one. A great night was had by all. Enjoy the season girls!
Asia Schools Open – British Parliamentary Debate
Our Pymble students have performed outstandingly in this competition throughout 2024 to date. The latest edition, held on Saturday 31 August to Sunday 1 September 2024 drew participation from 124 brilliant young debaters from various reputable institutions across the Asia Pacific region.
Please join us in congratulating the following students for their stellar performances
Lakshi Rajeev (Year 6)
10th Best Speaker, 12 and under category
Quarter-finalist, 13 and under category
Alice Jiang (Year 6)
Co 7th Best Speaker, 12 and under category
Quarter-finalist, 13 and under category
Angela Mao (Year 7)
3rd Best Speaker, 12 and under category
Co 4th Best Speaker of Oceania, Australia
Quarter-finalist, 13 and under category
Yenyu Chan (Year 7)
Semi-finalist, 13 and under category
Charlotte Xue (Year 6)
Quarter-finalist, 13 and under category
Further Opportunities – Speakers’ Corner
Our Pymble debaters across all years have met with much success in the competitions offered through Speakers’ Corner. Alice Mao (Year 10) and Amy Zhang (Year 11) travelled to England earlier this year to compete in the finals at Cambridge, and some of our junior debaters have met with similar success in additional competitions. If you wish to provide further debating opportunities for your daughter, the following may be of interest.
Cambridge Schools Debating 2024 to 2025
Cambridge Schools Debating 2024 to 2025 will launch on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October in Sydney, like at Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview. It will run from approximately 9.00am to 5.30pm both days. The competition will use the British Parliamentary style of debating, with 15 minutes of preparation time and Points of Information.
The cost is $220.00 per person. Speakers’ Corner will offer supervision and school staff will not attend. The competition is open to any student from Year 7 to 11. Winning teams will be invited to compete in Cambridge, UK, in March 2025.
Click here to register. The links to make payment are within the registration form. Optional training sessions will be held via Zoom in the weeks prior to the competition. Registration for the sessions is via the competition registration form, with a cost of $30.00 per session.
Debating Notes
- Debating Bootcamp – The Language Arts High Level Debating Bootcamp continues this Friday after school. A continued thanks to Maya Garg (Year 11), State Debating representative, and the Language Arts Captains for this initiative. Girls are on a steep learning curve!
- IDC Debating – Term 4 – Teams will be released in the forthcoming weeks. Please ensure all registrations have been completed. We currently have 12 IDC teams ready to take on the world in international debating!
- Absences – Debaters must inform Mrs Hubbard, their coach, and team, in advance if they will be absent for a debating round. We do not forfeit, and substitutes can be arranged.
Public Speaking
UN Voice Registrations
Pymble will host a UN Voice of Youth heat on Monday 14 October, the day prior to the commencement of Term 3. In 2022, Jenny Xu (Year 11) was the national winner. Last year, Isis Li (Year 9) was the national runner up and Catherine Shi (Year 11) was a national finalist. Thanks to these girls for running a workshop. This is a wonderful competition and is open to all.
Co-curricular Administration have sent out information sheets for registration. Please ensure these are returned ASAP so topics can be sent. In the first instance, please email Mrs Hubbard or our incoming Public Speaking Captain, Jenny Xu at JIXu@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au with any questions. Please use UN Voice as the subject heading.
Model United Nations (MUN)
Further Opportunities – UN Youth Junior Leadership Summit 2024
Junior Leadership Summit is a two-day non-residential conference for students in Years 7 and 8 taking place at the University of Technology, Sydney, on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September. Delegates will participate in thematic workshops based around a set theme and will enhance their communication, advocacy, and leadership skills through structured skills workshops. Assisting the development of these skills will be influential and inspiring guest speakers who will share their wisdom with the delegates. Pymble staff will not attend; however UN Youth staff will be present.
We hope that any Junior Language Arts girls attending the summit have a wonderful experience. Please contact Mrs Hubbard with your feedback.
Evatt
Maya Garg (Year 11) and Catherine Shi (Year 11) have progressed to the Evatt National final and will represent NSW at the National finals during the next holidays.
UN Negotiations
Well done to our negotiators who have now finalised their participation in this competition for 2024. We know they honed their skills.
57th Session of THIMUN – The Hague, January 2025
The Pymble Language Arts International Tour group have been accepted as the first Australian school to attend THIMUN at The Hague. Sixteen Language Arts students and three teachers will depart Sydney on Friday 17 January and travellers will commence Term 1 2025 on Monday 3 February. We are excited for this wonderful travel experience!
Country delegations will be announced in October.
Mock Law
Mediation
Congratulations to our Mock Mediators and our coaches! The team was awarded 94/100 in their last mediation, the semi-final. Congratulations on your progression to the grand final. Details to follow.
Festival of Speech
The annual Festival of Speech will be held at MLC Burwood this year on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October. Offers are being sent this week.
Bronwyn Hubbard
Head of Co-curricular Language Arts