Language Arts
Debating
Debating Bootcamp
Thanks to all who attended our High Level Debating Bootcamp this term and special thanks to our three Archdale representative debaters who ran the program. It was a valuable addition to our Language Arts calendar. It was wonderful to see skills extended and so many girls demonstrating a passion for debating.
Social Debating – New Class Opening
A new Term 4 Social Debating class is being offered on a Monday afternoon from 3.30pm to 5.30pm. Priority will be given to those on the current waiting list.
Archdale Representative team
Congratulations to Kitty He, Maya Garg and Amy Zhang who have now completed the Archdale Representative season. Pymble debaters made up one quarter of the team!
IDC Debating
Term 4 IDC teams have been finalised. We currently have many primary, junior and senior IDC teams ready to take on the world in international debating, commencing on Friday 25 October.
Congratulations
Selena Jiang (Year 7) participated in the Australian Schools’ Open Debating competition on the weekend of Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September. Her mixed team progressed to the quarterfinals before being knocked out by a Year 11 team. Overall, Selena’s team was placed sixth in the team rankings and Selena was placed in the top 20 speakers. Well done!
Absences
Debaters must inform Mrs Hubbard, their coach and team, in advance, if they will be absent for a Debating round. We do not forfeit, and subs can be arranged.
Cambridge Schools Debating 2024 to 2025
Cambridge Schools Debating 2024 to 2025 will launch on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October in Sydney, like at Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview. It will run from approximately 9.00am to 5.30pm both days. The competition will use the British Parliamentary style of debating, with 15 minutes of preparation time and Points of Information.
The cost is $220.00 per person. Speakers’ Corner will offer supervision and school staff will not attend. The competition is open to any student from Year 7 to 11. Winning teams will be invited to compete in Cambridge, UK, in March 2025.
Click here to register. The links to make payment are within the registration form. Optional training sessions will be held via Zoom in the weeks prior to the competition. Registration for the sessions is via the competition registration form, with a cost of $30.00 per session.
Public Speaking
UN Voice Registrations
Pymble will host a UN Voice of Youth heat on Monday 14 October, the day prior to the commencement of Term 3. In 2022, Jenny Xu (Year 11) was the national winner. Last year, Isis Li (Year 9) was the national runner up and Catherine Shi (Year 11) was a national finalist. Thanks to these girls for running a workshop. This is a wonderful competition and is open to all. Participants will be contacted in the holidays.
Model United Nations (MUN)
Evatt
Maya Garg (Year 11) and Catherine Shi (Year 11) have progressed to the Evatt National final and will represent NSW at the National finals during the next holidays.
UN Negotiations
Well done to our negotiators who have now finalised their participation in this competition for 2024. The girls enjoyed learning more about international politics, tensions and the importance of effective negotiations.
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. Sixteen Language Arts students and three teachers 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!
Country delegations will be announced in October.
Mock Law
Mediation
Congratulations to our Mock Mediators and our coaches! The team was awarded 94/100 in their last mediation, the semi-final. Congratulations on your progression to the grand final. Details to follow.
Festival of Speech
The annual Festival of Speech will be held at MLC Burwood this year on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October. Pymble will compete in junior and senior readings, junior and senior public speaking, junior and senior poetry, current affairs, religious and ethical questions, soapbox, theatresports, drama, and junior and senior debating.
Bronwyn Hubbard
Head of Co-curricular Language Arts