Language Arts
Debating
ISDA Round 1 commenced last week and Pymble teams debated at St Aloysius. We were negative. Well done to all teams. We won four debates and the opposition won four.
Pymble ISDA will be at Pymble for Round 2 tomorrow, 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 3 May.
Pymble FED will travel to MLC for Round 1 tomorrow, on Friday 23 February. Please ensure all bus tickets have been purchased.
Archdale and Social debating start later in the year.
Buses will be arranged to most away venues and parents are asked to arrange collection of girls 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. Co-curricular Administration 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.
IDC Debating
This runs in Term 4 and is open to ISDA and Archdale debaters and FED finalists. Further details will be available in Term 3.
Congratulations to Lauren Korenblyum. Year 11
Congratulations to Lauren Korenblyum who competed in a Lions Youth of the Year heat last Sunday. Lauren has progressed to the next round, to be held on 24 March. All the best.
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!
We hear that some will be competing in the forthcoming Junior BP competition.
Public Speaking
Auditions – Year 7 to 12
Rostrum, The Junior and PESA (Senior) Speaking Competition auditions will run after school Wednesday 21 February and Wed 28 February. BHubbard@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au; Evelyn Zhu (Year 11) ezhu2025@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
Evelyn, our Public Speaking Captain, has allocated girls to a roster for their heat presentation.
Topics can be found on the Portal or on the Rostrum NSW website. https://www.rostrum.com.au/voy/information-for-all-students/
Two students to UNUN Voice of Youth Public Speaking National Finals
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. We have also recently been notified that Isis Li is also through to the Nationals! Congratulations and best wishes.
MUN – Model United Nations
NSW State MUN Conference, at Pymble – We did it. We launched NSW Student MUN
Pymble hosted the first student led, NSW MUN conference on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 February!
This followed from our successful PMUN Winter conferences in 2022 and 2023. Congratulations to our MUN captain Catherine Shi and her team who worked so hard to ensure all was in place for a successful conference. Students from over 21 schools attended.
Have you seen the video?
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 25. If successful, Pymble will be the first Australian school to attend.
UN Youth State Conference
This is a flagship residential event that unites exceptional high school students in Year 9 to 12 from across the globe, 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 now closed. 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