Language Arts
Debating
The standard of Debating auditions has been extremely high this year and the number of students who auditioned is unprecedented. Over forty teams have already been formed.
Thank you for your patience as we continue to sort teams and registrations.
An information session will be held for ISDA and FED debaters on Tuesday 13 February after school. This session should go from 3.30-5.30pm. Further details will be published on the Portal.
The ISDA season commences on 16 February and FED commences on Friday 23 February. CCSA have been releasing teams and draws. Please get registrations in promptly.
Pymble ISDA will travel to St Aloysius for Round 1 on Friday 16 February. Pymble will take the negative.
Pymble ISDA will be at Pymble for Round 2 on Friday 23 February. We will host Knox. NB Year 7 will NOT debate on this date and will have a make up round on May 3.
Pymble FED will travel to MLC for Round 1 on Friday 23 February.
Buses will be arranged to most away venues and parents are asked to arrange collection of students following debates. Students are not permitted to travel home of public transport without adult supervision. Parents are welcome to watch their daughter’s/ daughters’ debate(s). CCSA will send further details.
Year 11 and 12 FED and ISDA Debaters. Please note that you will have make up rounds due to Formals through the debating season.
Archdale and SSD
Archdale debating commences in May. Debates will be on Tuesdays. Sydney Social Debating (SSD) will also commence later in the year.
IDC Debating
This runs in Term 4 and is open to ISDA and Archdale debaters and FED finalists.
Congratulations, more than a Debating Trifecta!
Congratulations to Jingyuan Liu, Athena Wu and Selina Jiang who recently competed in the Asian Junior Championships Winter Debates. 193 students from China, South Korea, India, Singapore and Australia, attended this event. Jing was awarded best speaker for Australia and Oceania, Athena was awarded second best speaker and Selina was awarded third best speaker and wait for it… Angela Mao was fourth. We are proud of these students! What a start to the LANGUAGE ARTS year!
Cambridge Schools’ Debating Competition
Congratulations to this formidable British Parliamentary Debating team! On the 27 and 28 January, two Pymble students, Amy Zhang, Year 11 and Alice Mao, Year 10 participated in the above competition and reached the finals, to be held at Cambridge University. Congratulations!
Public Speaking
Auditions – Junior and Senior
Rostrum, The Junior and PESA (Senior) Speaking Competition auditions will run after school Wednesday 21 February. Students must register interest by emailing Mrs Hubbard and Evelyn Zhu, our Captain of Public Speaking. BHubbard@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au; Evelyn Zhu (Year 11) ezhu2025@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
Topics can be found on the Portal or on the Rostrum NSW website. https://www.rostrum.com.au/voy/information-for-all-students/
The Portal also provides further information and Mrs Hubbard or Evelyn, our Public Speaking captain can outline the procedure. Evelyn is offering a lunchtime workshop at lunch on the 13 February.
UN Voice of Youth Public Speaking
Congratulations to Nikita Serban, Isis Li, Catherine Shi and Katherine Pan who attended the Un Voice State Finals at the end of last year. Catherine Shi will now compete in the Nationals in April. Congratulations and best wishes.
MUN – Model United Nations
Congratulations Jenny
Congratulations to Jenny Xu who competed at Yale and Harvard MUN sessions in the vacation. Jenny was awarded a coveted Yale outstanding delegate award. The keynote address was given by Ban Ki- Moon, 8th General Secretary of the United Nations.
THIMIUN – The Hague
Mrs Hubbard travelled to The Hague in the recent vacation where she met with board members and the head of THIMUN. We are awaiting an offer to attend the 57th session of THIMUN in January 2025. If successful, Pymble will be the first Australian school to attend.
NSW State MUN Conference, at Pymble
On Friday 9 and Saturday 10 February, Pymble will host the first NSW MUN conference. This follows from our successful PMUN Winter conferences in 2022 and 2023. Congratulations to our MUN captain Catherine Shi and the team who are working so hard to ensure all is in place for a successful conference. We are expecting over 21 schools to be represented.
Parents, please let me know if you can assist for part of this time. We would love to have you on board. Please email BHubbard@Pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.
UN YOUTH State Conference at Collaroy
This is a flagship residential event that unites exceptional high school students in Year 9 to 12 from across the state, providing them with a unique platform to learn about leadership, diplomacy, and advocacy. Their goal is to empower young minds, foster understanding of global issues and inspire students to become active contributors to shaping our collective future. Pymble students who have attended in past years have enjoyed the experience!
Key details:
Date: 8 to 10 March
Location: The Collaroy Centre and UTS
Topic: The Future of Democracy in the 21st Century
Cost: $270
The conference promises an enriching experience with:
Interactive Workshops: Engaging sessions on critical global topics.
Expert Speaker Panels: Insights from prominent individuals in various fields.
Simulated Crisis Activity: A hands-on experience in crisis management.
Model UN Debates: A platform for students to discuss and propose solutions to international issues.
Registrations are open and will close on 15 February: State conference rego link
If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact the organisers directly at nswstateconferenceoc@unyouth.org.au. They are more than happy to assist you with any enquiries.
Bronwyn Hubbard
Head of Language Arts