Language Arts

DEBATING

World Debating Championships – Pinnacle of Success!

Congratulations to Maya Garg (Year 12) on her recent splendid achievements at world level. The Language Arts community and the broader Pymble community is so proud of your journey Maya, and we know your success has involved much hard work and dedication, as well as talent.

Maya was named the ninth best speaker at the World Schools Debating Championships. In addition, she was named the best speaker (Australia) and was not only a Worlds debater, but she was also a world’s grand finalist debater! 2025 was the first time that Australia made the grand finals in twelve years.

Archdale – Shield and Invitational

Our Senior Invitational team have now progressed straight to the grand final to be held at MLC on Tuesday 2 September. Best wishes went to 7B who debated in the semi-final on Tuesday. Results to be announced. 8B, 9, and 10 were sadly knocked out at the quarter finals last week. To those who will not progress, thank you for the season and for your commitment.

More Debating Activities and Opportunities

Chinese Debating Auditions for the 2026 team

These will be held after school on Monday 22 September, in IH rooms, with a make-up date of Tuesday 23 September. Co-curricular Administration is managing all registrations which can be completed by clicking here. Pymble entered this competition for the first time earlier this year and placed in the top ten teams. The competition will be held across weekends in the 2026 Easter break. All debates are held in the Business school at Sydney University.

PLEASE NOTE – This Friday (tomorrow) Bootcamp and Social Debating will continue in the Kate Mason Building.

Social Debating Student coaches – Thank you to those who assist university coaches with Social Debating competition coaching and adjudicating. We value your help.

Social Debating Classes/Duke of Edinburgh opportunity – Thank you to the Duke of Edinburgh helpers who are assisting coaches with Junior classes. Your help is invaluable.

International Debating Championships (IDC)

Thank you to the girls who have registered teams internally for IDC. Girls who registered as individuals, thank you for your patience as we finalise teams for this Term 4 online competition. We will try to accommodate you. We currently have thirteen teams registered.

Garden Party – Saturday 20 September

Language Arts will present some Soapbox and some TEDx speeches at Garden Party. Please contact Mrs Hubbard if you have presented at the TEDx online showcase and are interested. Likewise, please contact Mrs Hubbard if you are interested in presenting a fun Soapbox speech on a pet peeve. We are also hoping to restage our Antigone Mock Trial.

PUBLIC SPEAKING

TEDx

Semester 2 classes continue each Saturday at 10.30am to 12.30pm, 1.00pm to 3.00pm, and 3.15pm to 5.15pm. Please note the venue has changed from KM to the Conde Library Studio. Swetha will be absent for the next two weeks. Mrs Hubbard will take the 10.30am and 1.00pm class tomorrow and Isabella Cameron will take the 3.15pm class. The following week classes will be cancelled.

UN Voice of Youth

The UN Voice of Youth competition will be held in Term 4. This year we are aiming to streamline registrations. A workshop will be run this term for students registering through Pymble by current senior Language Arts girls who have progressed to state and national finals in previous years. Two registration options are being presented. Click here to complete the registration form which contains information and must be completed by a parent/carer. Please contact Co-curricular Administration if you have any questions about the form.

MODEL UNITED NATIONS (MUN)

Pymble Model UN Club (PMUN)

PMUN runs each Monday lunch in DK06. Come along and join us this term. Everyone is welcome. Learn how to prepare for a MUN conference. We have also received invitations to MUN conferences to be held at various high schools including Trinity and Barker/Knox. Currently the Trinity conference is oversubscribed, and we await further information from Trinity. Thank you to the girls who offered to chair in order for us to take more girls.

UNICEF

Congratulations to Imogen Kee (Year 10) who ran a successful information gathering UNICEF local event last Thursday. Her interest in this organisation and their work on climate change stemmed from Imogen’s attendance at State and National UN Youth conferences. State conference will be advertised again early next year.

Co-curricular Speech and Drama

Mrs Victoria Clancy

Speech and Drama

Congratulations to all the talented solo performers in the Ryde Eisteddfod. Following are recent results:

Poetry Performance

Anna He (Year 4) 1st Place

Ariel Wang (Year 4) 1st Place

Leahara Wijesuriya (Year 3) 1st Place

Kaymi Madugalle Wijeratne (Year 4) 2nd Place

Olivia Sun (Year 3) 2nd Place

Ella Birch (Year 3) 3rd Place

Miranda Liu (Year 5) 3rd Place