Singapore Talking aired last night (Sunday) on Channel 5 at 10:30pm – and while it wasn’t a debate show, it was interesting to see Ashraf (former DA(S) exco and judge from The Arena) host a lively conversation The Sembawang GRC MP (Dr Lim Wee Kiak) and the CEO of Propnex (Mohd Ismail) and a young lady was property-hunting before her wedding.

Any thoughts, comments, or suggestions for the show?

Dear debaters, teacher, coaches, and fans of The Arena,

Mediacorp has announced that they will not be filming The Arena again, until further notice. Due to a lack of willing sponsors, the show was not filmed in 2009 and 2010, despite being the only Mediacorp show to have been nominated for an international Emmy Award . Mediacorp is still willing to consider starting the show again in 2011 or beyond, if there are sufficient willing sponsors.

Goodbye, The Arena. You will be missed

DA(S) conducted an adjudication workshop for over 60 Hwa-Chong Institution students on 6 Mar 2010, as part of our effort to develop a strong pool of adjudicators for Wits & Words 2010.  We have attached the materials used during this workshop for your reference.

W&W Scoresheet

W&W Filling Out the Scoresheet

2010 W&W Adj Camp Slides

DA(S), in conjunction with MOE Gifted Education Branch and Hwa-Chong Institution, will be organising Wits & Words 2010.  Wits & Words 2010 is a national-level primary school debate competition, utilising an adaptation of the World Schools’ format, albeit with shorter speech times and greater emphasis on proper persuasive speaking style.  This is the first year that DA(S) will be involved in the convening of this tournament.

We need adjudicators for the preliminary rounds of this tournament on 16 Mar 2010, at Hwa-Chong Institution, from 0900hrs – 1500hrs.  Lunch will be provided.  If you have some prior experience with adjudicating at the Singapore Secondary Schools’ Debate Championships or any other tournament that utilises the World Schools’ format, and if you are willing to be a part of this exciting development in the emerging primary school debate circuit, please contact Alessa.  If you will only be able to make it for the morning or afternoon rounds, do let her know as well.  We’ve attached the day’s programme for your reference.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Wits & Words 2010: Programme for 16 Mar 2010

The World Scholar’s Cup is an international non-profit educational foundation that brings secondary school students together online and in person to compete in a series of events related to a special global curriculum.  The idea is to build an international community of future leaders and thinkers, while helping students gain new knowledge and skills.  The curriculum changes each year; this year’s theme is “A World Divided.”  One of the four main events of each tournament is a team debate (teams are comprised of three students).

Singapore is hosting the Southeast Asian leg of the tournament this year.  The format of the competition is slightly different from the standard World School’s debate format, and adjudicators will have the opportunity to watch a variety of participants from all over the region.

The team debates will take place on 27 March 2010 at Nanyang Girls’ High School, and the organisers are appealing for volunteer adjudicators on that day itself.  The event runs from 12pm to 6pm, and lunch will be provided.  All volunteer adjudicators will receive training on that day itself, as well as a certificate of appreciation.

If you are interested in being a volunteer adjudicator for this event, please contact Kristine Oehlers.  If you have any other queries, you may also contact Daniel.