Language Arts

Language Arts

Debating

IDC Debating

Thanks to all teams and coaches for the preliminary season which has now concluded. Results from the octos and semifinals will be posted shortly.  

Debating Auditions  

Auditions have now concluded. If you were not able to audition but would like to be considered for a 2025 Debating team, please contact Mrs Hubbard before the end of the term at bhubbard@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au to discuss potential options.

Public Speaking

Public Speaking Auditions

Public Speaking auditions will be held in Term 1 on three consecutive Wednesday’s beginning on 19 February. Students only need to attend one audition date, and these will be the only auditions held in 2025 for Public Speaking and students will be selected to represent Pymble at Rostrum, PESA, JSSA, DELO, and Festiva of Speech competitions from these auditions. Information was sent via the app on Tuesday 26 November to all students and parents. 

For any students interested in auditioning, we ask that they please complete the expression of interest form by clicking here to indicate their preference for the date of their audition. Confirmation of audition dates and a request for permission from parents will be sent in early Term 1 2025.

Topics for the auditions

Students are to select one of the following topics for their audition, depending on their section. All students auditioning must use their own original content. Reference to other texts, AI, or direct quotation is allowed, however any speech must be substantially the work of the speaker.

Junior section – For students in Year 7 , 8, and 9, who are at least 11 years of age as at 1 January 2025:

  • I care
  • Bring back the magic
  • Break the cycle
  • From little things…
  • Stepping stones

Junior auditions require a three to three and a half minute speaking time.

Senior section – For students in Years 10, 11, or 12, who are under 18 years of age as at 1 January 2025:

  • Time for reflection
  • Coping with change
  • Behind the smokescreen
  • Doing things differently
  • Friend or foe

Senior auditions require a four to four and a half minute speaking time.

For further details on Rostrum and hints for speech preparation, please click here.

UN Voice of Youth 

Hakone Liceralde (Year 9) and Katherine Pan (Year 10) attended the state finals of UN Voice on Friday 22 November, held at NSW Parliament House. Both girls were prize winners and progress to Nationals in April! Hakone was awarded first place and Katherine third. We are so Pymble Proud! Bravo girls. Their selection marks the third year Pymble has progressed to Nationals in this competition. 

Model United Nations (MUN)

Evatt 

Maya Garg (Year 11) and Catherine Shi (Year 11) are currently participating in the Evatt National final in Melbourne from Wednesday 27 November. Wishing them the best of luck.

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. The 16 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! We have heard we have been allocated Ecosoc and our country delegation will be Germany. We will also have two delegates in the UN Water committee.

Our back packs and beanies have arrived. We will also be issued red scarves. Coats and gloves will not be provided. Coats must be warm as the average temperature in The Hague in January is 1 to 6 degrees. Thermals are advised and girls are reminded to pack as lightly as possible as they must manoeuvre their own bags on and off the Eurostar train.

Lunchtime trainings have commenced.

A THIMUN group meeting for parents and travellers will be held from 6.00pm to 7.00pm in the Library Studio on Monday 2 December.

Mock Law

Mediation 

Congratulations to our Mock Mediators on their progression to the grand final on Tuesday 26 November held at The Law Society premises. Details of the results will be sent when available.  

Mock Law Auditions 

Auditions for Mediation (Years 9 and 10 2025), Mock Trial (Years 10 and 11 2025) have now concluded. If you were unable to attend an audition but would still like to be considered for a 2025 Mock Law team, including Mooting, please contact Mrs Hubbard before the end of the term at bhubbard@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au for potential options.

Language Arts Parent Support Group for 2025

If you would like to assist our 2025 Language Arts Parent Support team, please email Mrs Hubbard BHubbard@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au

At our recent meeting we farewelled Mrs Sophia Fang who has been our lead Language Arts support parent for several years. Thank you, Sophia, for all the love you have shown to our Language Arts community. You have helped us in so many ways and we will miss you.

Upcoming Programs and Events  

UN Youth State Conference 2025

Save the date for the UN Youth State Conference!  This will be held from Friday 14 March to Sunday 16 March 2025. Please note if you are involved in a Debating team held on Fridays (FED or ISDA), you will still need to attend Debating on the Friday evening. 

Please click here to register.

Bronwyn Hubbard

Head of Co-curricular Language Arts