Language Arts

Language Arts

Welcome to Term 4. This is another busy Language Arts term full of auditions, Festival of Speech news and finally our festive and fabulous Language Arts Showcase and awards evening. Further information to come about the Showcase. 

DEBATING 

Debating season is now in recess until the commencement of the International Debating Championships (IDC) on Friday 24 October at Pymble.  

IDC – International Debating Championships 

The topic areas are as follows – 

  • Round 1: Education 
  • Round 2: Health and Technology 
  • Round 3: Criminal Justice 
  • Round 4: Politics 

Please note that motions will be released in real time at the beginning of each debate. Teams are encouraged to familiarise themselves with these areas and prepare broadly rather than focusing on a single perspective. Coaches will be in contact with teams soon. 

Oxford Calling 

Congratulations to Athena Wu (Year 8) and Alice Jiang (Year 7) who recently won the grand final of the Oxford University, Australia New Zealand Schools’ Debating competition. They have been invited to compete at Oxford in March 2026. Congratulations also to semi-finalists – Leahara Wijesuriya (Year 9) and Annika De Goede (Year 9). Bravo girls! 

2026 Debating Team Auditions 

Language Arts Debating auditions will be held in Term 4 2025 for 2026 teams. Auditions are open to all students currently in Years 6 to 11.  

Auditions will be held after school from 3.30pm to 5.00pm on the dates listed below. The venue for each audition will be confirmed and sent to students registered prior to the audition date. Students must bring pen/pencil and paper to the audition and are required to arrange their own transport home. Online auditions can be arranged for new students to the College for 2026 who are not able to attend a face-to-face audition at the College. 

  • Monday 27 October – 2025 Year 7 students 
  • Tuesday 28 October – 2025 Year 11 and Year 9 students (non-Vision Valley) 
  • Thursday 30 October – 2025 Year 8 students 
  • Monday 3 November – 2025 Year 10 students 
  • Tuesday 4 November – 2025 Year 6 students (current Pymble students) 
  • Thursday 6 November – 2025 Year 6 students (new students starting in 2026) 
  • Monday 10 November – Catch up auditions 
  • Tuesday 11 November – Catch up auditions 
  • Thursday 20 November – 2025 Year 9 students (those attending Vision Valley) and catch up auditions 

Please use the form in your My Pymble app notices to register for an audition. Reminders will continue to be sent throughout the term. Please email Mrs Hubbard at bhubbard@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au for any questions regarding Language Arts or the auditions. Please email ccsa@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au for any general enquiries or for changes to your submitted form.   

PUBLIC SPEAKING, MUN AND MOCK LAW 

TEDx and Language Arts classes 

Social Debating and TEDx classes have now resumed.  

UN Voice of Youth 

Thank you to those who competed at Pymble on Monday 13 October. All were well prepared, and the standard was high. Those progressing will be notified once the heats are completed in a fortnight. Good luck to those who are yet to compete. 

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. Girls who attend MUN conferences, we would like you to also attend PMUN! Stay tuned for changes. We are planning to divide PMUN into a beginner PMUN and a senior PMUN. 

Other MUNS 

Last term over 40 girls attended Trinity MUN. On the last Saturday of term, nine girls also attended Knox/Barker MUN. Stay tuned for expressions of interest to THIMUN, The Hague. This international Language Arts MUN excursion will run again in January 2027. 

Mock Law 

Team auditions occurred at the end of last term. Please contact Mrs Hubbard urgently if you would still like to audition. Mediation is for 2026 Years 9 and 10 students. Mock Trial is for 2026 Years 10 and 11 students. Mooting is for 2026 Years 11 and 12 students. 

Our Antigone Mock Law team will start looking over material for their next trial. Please contact Mrs Hubbard if you are interested in participating in this program. Together with the Classics Department and Centre for Excellence, we offer internal Mock Trials based on classic literature and encompassing moral dilemmas. 

Festival of Speech 

The Festival of Speech will be held at Kincoppal Rose Bay on Saturday 25 October. The representative team has been selected. All should be in training for their section and have a clear understanding of the guidelines. Pymble will compete in all sections – Junior and Senior Soapbox, Junior and Senior Public Speaking, Junior and Senior Poetry, Junior and Senior Readings, Current Affairs and Religious and Ethical questions.