Language Arts

To all in our Language Arts family

Wishing you a happy festive season and a safe and relaxing break. Thank you for the wonderful LA year that was!

Language Arts Showcase

Thank you to all who attended, assisted with, and/or participated in our wonderful celebratory Sampler Language Arts Showcase. What a great year! Well done girls, coaches and parents!

IDC Debating

International Debating Championships ended successfully with two teams through to finals. Well done on surviving Octos. Unfortunately, both teams were defeated in the quarter finals.

2025 Auditions

Debating and Mock Law – We have had a very long Debating and Mock Law audition process with the last option for auditioning held on Wednesday after Speech Day. Thank you for your patience. Co-curricular Administration will release Debating teams soon. Mock Teams will be released at the start of Term 1. If you were not able to audition but would still like to be considered for a 2025 team, please contact Mrs Hubbard at bhubbard@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au to discuss potential options.

Public Speaking – 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.

New TEDx option in Semester 1

After the success of the TEDx program in Semester 2 2024, it will be returning in Semester 1 2025 with class options available on a Saturday. Please register through the online registration system or contact Co-curricular Administration if you are interested.

Evatt

Maya Garg (Year 11) and Catherine Shi (Year 11) attended the Evatt National final in Melbourne last week. Stay tuned for a report early in the new term.

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, Mrs Hubbard, Mr Dunk, and Miss Blake, 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!

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.

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