National Schools Literature Festival

Briefing – 29 June 2017

Agenda

1. Welcome

2. Programme

3. Events

4. Logistics & Transport

5. AOB

I. Welcome

Goals

The National Schools Literature Festival (NSLF) is the biggest literary festival for students in Singapore and has provided a powerful platform to develop students’ passion and love for literature. The goals of the NSLF are:

1. To bring Literature teachers together with a shared mission and purpose.

2. To provide a platform which teachers can use to enthuse and inspire their students in studying Literature.

3. To motivate more students to take Literature at the upper secondary level.

Details

Date: 15 July 2017 (Saturday) Time: Category 1 schools = 730 to 1245Am

Category 2 schools = 920 to 1345PM Venue: St Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School

Total no. of schools: 106

Keynote speakers

1) Lower sec talk on the value of Literature by Dr Dennis Yeo (NIE)

2) Upper sec talk on critical reading of texts by Ms Kausikan (SAJC)

Two keynote sessions have been organised. Upper sec students should attend the upper sec talk and lower sec students to attend the lower sec talk

II. Programme

Programme Overview

730-840 Registration for schools in

Category 1 (Anglican High School –

Kranji Sec)

840-920 Lower Sec talk by Dr Dennis Yeo

(Hall)

Upper Sec talk by Ms Kausikan

(Indoor Sports Hall)

920-1000 Break

1000-1215 Concurrent Events

1215-

1245PM

Prize-giving (for Book trailer, book

parade, choral speaking) at Hall

920-1020 Registration for schools in Category 2

(Kuo Chuan Pres – Yuying Sec)

1020-1100 Lower Sec talk by Dr Dennis Yeo

(Hall)

Upper Sec talk by Ms Kausikan

(Indoor Sports Hall)

1100-1130 Break

1130-1315 Concurrent Events

1315-

1345PM

Prize-giving (for Book trailer, book

parade, choral speaking) at Indoor

Sports Hall

Category 1 schools Category 2 schools

Note: Prizes for Set text and unseen debates will be given immediately after the debates in the classroom.

Category 1 schools Reporting time = 730-840AM End time = 1245PM

1 Admiralty Sec 18 CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls' 35 Fajar Sec

2 Anglican High 19 CHIJ St. Theresa's 36 Gan Eng Seng School

3 ACS (Barker) 20 Chong Boon Sec 37 Greenridge Sec

4 Assumption Eng 21 Christ Church Sec 38 Guangyang Sec

5 Bedok Green Sec 22 Chua Chu Kang Sec 39 Hai Sing Catholic School

6 Bedok North Sec 23 Chung Cheng High Yishun 40 Hillgrove Sec

7 Bedok South Sec 24 Clementi Town Sec 41 Holy Innocents' High

8 Bedok View Sec 25 Commonwealth Sec 42 Hong Kah Sec

9 Bendemeer Sec 26 Compassvale Sec 43 Hougang Sec

10 Bowen Sec 27 Crescent Girls' School 44 Hua Yi Sec

11 Broadrick Sec 28 Crest Sec 45 Hwa Chong Institution

12 Bukit Batok Sec 29 Damai Sec 46 JURONG SEC SCH

13 Bukit Merah Sec 30 Dunearn Sec 47 Jurong West Sec

14 Bukit Panjang Govt High 31 Dunman High School 48 Jurongville Sec

15 BUKIT VIEW SEC 32 East Spring Sec 49 Kent Ridge Sec

16 CEDAR GIRLS' SEC 33 Edgefield Sec 50 Kranji Sec

17 Changkat Changi 34 Evergreen Sec

Category 2 schools Reporting time = 920-1020AM End time = 1345PM

1 Kuo Chuan Presbyterian 19 Peirce Sec 37 St. Gabriel's Sec

2 Manjusri Sec 20 Ping Yi Sec 38 St. Margaret's Sec

3 Maris Stella High 21 Presbyterian High 39 St. Patrick's School

4 Mayflower Sec 22 Punggol Sec 40 Tampines Sec

5 Meridian Sec 23 Queenstown Sec 41 Tanglin Sec

6 Nan Hua High School 24 Queensway Sec 42 TKGS

7 NJC 25 RGS 43 Tanjong Katong Sec

8 New Town Sec 26 Raffles Institution 44 Victoria School

9 Ngee Ann Sec 27 Regent Sec 45 West Spring Sec

10 Northbrooks Sec 28 Riverside Sec 46 Westwood Sec

11 Northland Sec 29 Sembawang Sec 47 Woodgrove Sec

12 Northvista Sec 30 Seng Kang Sec 48 Woodlands Ring Sec

13 Orchid Park Sec 31 Serangoon Garden Sec 49 Woodlands Sec

14 Outram Sec 32 Serangoon Sec 50 Yio Chu Kang Sec

15 Pasir Ris Sec 33 Shuqun Sec 51 Yishun Sec

16 PLMGSS (Sec) 34 SCGS 52 Yishun Town Sec

17 Pei Hwa Sec 35 St Andrew's Sec 53 Yuhua Sec

18 Peicai Sec 36 St Anthony's Canossian 54 Yusof Ishak Sec

55 Yuying Sec

Overlapping Timings – Schools to take Note!

Some schools from Category 1 and category 2 may debate at overlapping times: Unseen debates

•1130-1200: Room 4 Regent Sec 4E (P) vs Jurong Sec 4E

Set Text debates

• 1100-1130: Room 16 Death of a salesman: Kranji Sec 4E (P) vs St Andrew’s 4E (O)

• 1100-1130: Room 15 Hullabaloo: Anglican High 3E (P) vs St Andrew’s 3E (O)

• 1100-1130: Room 18 Here and Beyond Woodlands Ring 3E (P) vs Greenridge Sec 3E (O)

• 1100-1130: Room 19 Here and Beyond: Bedok Green 3NA (P) vs Northland 3NA (O)

• 1100-1130: Room 22 Julius Caesar: Clementi Town Sec 3E (P) vs Presbyterian 3E (O)

• 1100-1130: Room 23 Julius Caesar: Admiralty Sec 4E (P) vs St Patrick’s 4E (O)

• 1100-1130: Room 26 Winslow Boy: Bedok View Sec 3E (P) vs Victoria School 3E (O)

• 1130-1200: Room 15 Off centre: Hougang Sec 3E (P) vs Tampines Sec 3E (O)

• 1130-1200: Room 21 Joy Luck Club: PLMGS 3E2 (P) vs Bukit Panjang Govt High 3E (O)

• 1130-1200: Room 25 Pygmalion: Clementi Town Sec 3NA (P) vs West Spring Sec 3NA (O)

Judges

• Every school should submit the names of at least 1 teacher-judge if the school is sending one team, 2 teacher-judges if the school is sending two teams and at least 3 teacher-judges if there are three teams or more.

• Teacher ICs to inform judges of their duties. Please refer to the detailed programme on our website. Search for the last name of each teacher judge.

• Judges are required to report to the venue at least 10 minutes before the start of the round.

• Judges are to bring a pen.

• For Set text and Unseen debates, judges are to write constructive feedback on post-its. Yellow for Proposition and Blue for Opposition. This will be given to teams after debates.

• Only 2 judges are required at any one time. If 3-4 are allocated, judges can rotate duties

• If a judge cannot make it, please find a replacement and inform us (together with his email address) at least 3 days before the lit fest.

III. Events

Event 1: UNSEEN TEXT DEBATE

Objective:

• For students to put into practice the skills they have learnt in Unseen poetry analysis.

• Students will learn to articulate their thoughts and organize their answers in a

persuasive manner through this fun event.

Task:

• Two poems will be given. The debate motion will generally be worded as follows: “This

house believes that Poem A is more effective than Poem B in conveying xyz.”

• The Proposition team will argue that Poem A is more effective than Poem B in

conveying a particular effect.

• The opposition will argue that Poem B is more effective than Poem A in conveying that

particular effect.

• Teams must make convincing arguments supported by explanation and close analysis

of the poem before a panel of judges.

• The school with the most convincing and organized response will win.

UNSEEN TEXT DEBATE

Each team will have 4 members with the following roles

1st speaker: Introduces team’s stand, main points of argument. He/she can also begin on

the first few points supported by evidence.

2nd speaker: Builds on the 1 st speaker’s points, expands on points and provides evidence from

the text to support points. Try to aim for at least 3-4 convincing points.

3rd speaker: Rebuts opponent and summarizes key points.

4th team member: Research assistant (This person helps the team but is not involved in the

presentation. The research assistant only joins the team during the 1 minute think time. He/she is

NOT allowed to converse with team members at any other point during the debate.

No outside assistance form

Teams must prepare for the event on their own. No outside assistance from peers, teachers,

parents are allowed. All team members and their teacher in charge must sign a declaration

before the start of the event.

Rules and Format

STRUCTURE

Each team member is given a maximum of 3 minutes.

The structure is as follows:

1. Proposition 1st speaker (3 mins)

2. Opposition 1st speaker (3 mins)

3. Proposition 2nd speaker (3 mins)

4. Opposition 2nd speaker (3 mins)

5. Think-time: 4th team member joins team’s table to advise them (1 min)

6. Opposition 3rd speaker (3 mins)

7. Proposition 3rd speaker (3 mins)

Note: There will be no interruption or free-fire round during the speeches.

Event 2: SET TEXT DEBATE

Rules and Format

For more details: https://nationalschoolslitfest.wikispaces.com/:

Format

Team:

3 speakers + 1 reserve

(Preparation stage only, not debates).

Structure & Flow:

3 minutes for each speaker (also for last/reply speaker)

Notes: Different roles. Also, opposing speakers are not allowed to rebut or question another speaker while s/he is speaking.

Important: Dos

✓Submit the ‘No Outside Assistance‘ form.

✓Report to Holding Room at least 15 mins earlier.

✓Anticipate minimal changes in judges.

Important: Don’ts

✗Get outside assistance in preparing for the debates (incl. teachers, parents, friends, etc.)—disqualification.

✗Exceed time limit—point penalty (1 point/15-sec block).

✗Refer to a textbook during the debates.

Event 3: Choral Speaking OBJECTIVE: ● The objective is for the group, using various voice combinations and

contrasts, to bring out the meaning or tonal beauty of a poem through ensemble speaking.

TASK: ● Teams can select any poem but the performance cannot exceed 3

mins. TEAM SIZE: ● Each team will have 10 – 15 members.

Judging Criteria

● Poems are accurately memorised. ● All students are actively involved in the performance. ● Meaning of poems is understood and conveyed with clarity. ● Effective use of volume, rhythm, pace, pitch, tone and voice quality to

create mood and effect. ● Creative use of gestures and movement to match the meaning of the

poem. ● Clear and crisp articulation of words, with nuanced enunciation. ● Enthusiastic and expressive quality of performance, arousing the interest

of the audience

Rules and Format

STRUCTURE: ● Each team is given a maximum of 5 minutes. ● The structure is as follows:

○ Set-up (1 min) ○ Performance (3 mins) ○ Exit (1 min)

RULE: No outside interference. THINGS TO REMEMBER: ● Speak with volume, articulation, and clarity.

Event 4: BOOK TRAILER

Performance Venue Set-Up (Book Trailer)

PERFORMANCE

SPACE

Audience

Rubrics for Book Trailer

DELIVERY and

PRESENTATION (10

POINTS)

- Focus clear

- Message persuasive

- Audience engagement

- Creative and interesting

PACTT…

CLARITY of EXPRESSION

(10 POINTS)

- Clear articulation

- Good pronunciation

- Audible*

TOTAL 20 POINTS

Event 5: BOOK PARADE

Rules

Types of projects Book covers, visual storyboard, photo displays, models, visual write-ups etc. (Note: Schools are to inform organisers should they require power points for their multi-media projects.) Judging Criteria

Teams will be judged on the following:

1)Themes and Characterisation (portrayal of characters and themes)

2)Audience Appeal (visual appeal of the project)

3)Oral Presentation (presentation skills and understanding of the text) *Teams should focus on explaining the themes and characterisation rather than the plot.

BO

OK

PA

RA

DE

Event 6: FLASH FICTION

She absolutely loved fairy tales. It was evident. Every

conversation we ever had seemed to always drift towards that

topic. She told me once that her favourite fairy tale was Snow

White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Yet, she did not seem to appreciate it when I poisoned her with

an apple.

“The Evil Stepmother” (FF Upper Sec Winner, 2016) Law Shu Hui, Yishun Town Secondary School

Administrative Matters

Assignment of Publishing Rights

• Winners and their positions will be announced on that day. • Publishing Rights

• Return of document on publishing rights – 4 July 2017

• Attendance- 15 July 2017, 11.30 a.m. (Mr Freddy Tan)

Acknowledgement:

Judges for Flash Fiction: • Associate Professor Angus Whitehead, NIE • Associate Professor Joel Gwynne, NIE

• Assistant Professor Loh Chin Ee, NIE

• Mr Ken Mizusawa, NIE

IV. Logistics and Transport

TRAFFIC

PICK UP/ DROP-OFF POINTS

• Location 1: HDB Carpark (Next to St. Raphael’s Gate)

• Location 2: St. Anthony’s Canossian Primary School (St. Gabriel’s Gate)

• Location 3: St. Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School

Point to note (For security concerns)

• Buses entering the school are to display their entrance gate signs at both the front and the side of the bus (print 2 copies).

• No car parking lots will be available in the school for the event beyond the lots allocated to the Guest Speakers.

E1

E2

E3

Location 1 (Primary School – St. Raphael’s Gate)

REGISTRATION

REGISTRATION POINTS

• Point 1: Primary School Canteen

• Point 1: Primary/Secondary School Sunken Foyer

E1- Public Carpark (St Raphael)

Drop off Reg 1

In Out

E2- Foyer between Pri and Sec

In

Out

E3- Sec Sch Entrance

Reg 2

In

Out

@ Registration

• Teachers will be issued wristbands that are coloured according to the different events

Green – Unseen Debates

Yellow- Set Text Debates

Orange- Choral Speaking

Blue – Book Trailer

Purple – Book Parade

@ Registration

• Teachers are to issue wristbands to students to put on. (ALL students should receive a wristband- according to reg details)

• Students are to wear wristbands at ALL times for easy identification

• Students will be ushered to 3 different venues

Unseen and Set Text Debate- Indoor Sports Hall

Choral Speaking and Book Trailer – Main Hall

Book Parade – Sheltered Court

Point to note (For security concerns)

• If your students are reporting to the venue through their own transportation, they will not be allowed beyond the school porch (area behind the bus 17 bus stop) until all members are present.

• Each school will receive special wrist bands for participants and teachers based on their sign ups. Non-participants will not be issued wrist bands and will be escorted out of the school immediately.

Map

Site Map

Directions to Concurrent Events

• Banners across blocks for easy identification

• Signages

• Report to Holding Rooms

• Entry and Exits into venues will be specified

• Barricades put up – no access into primary school

Emergency Protocol

• Emergency evacuation routes to be put up at each of the venues

• Short emergency evacuation briefing after introductory speeches at ISH and MPH

• First Aid Station – Room near the school entrance and mended by SJAB students and SLT from emergency CARE team

V. AOB

2017 Organising Committee

Event ICS • Event 1: Unseen Debate - Ms Chin Ying Fen, Fairfield

Methodist Secondary School & Ms Lim Xi Michelle, Damai Secondary School

• Event 2: Set Text debate - Mr Liang Sea Fong, Vice-Chairman, St Andrew’s Secondary School & Mr Perdana Pan, School of Science and Technology

• Event 3: Choral Speaking - Ms Sukhjeet Kaur, CHIJ Katong Convent & Ms Yin Mei Lenden-Hitchcock, CHIJ Katong Convent

• Event 4: Book Trailer – Ms Valane Tnee, Clementi Town Secondary School

• Event 5: Book Parade - Mdm Kwah Beng Choo, Crescent Girls’ School & Mdm Sakunthalai Surian, Queenstown Secondary School

• Event 6: Flash fiction – Mr Freddy Tan, Woodlands Ring Secondary School

Overall • Ms Sharon Quek, Chairman, Catholic High

School • Ms Grace Kanai, Vice-Chairman, MOE • Dr Suzanne Choo, Advisor, National

Institute of Education • Ms Reena Kaur, Prizes, PLMGSS • Mdm Asha Kirti Vora, Dunman High School • Ms Atika Saad, Assumption English School Hosting School: • Mdm Jannine De Cotta, St Anthony’s

Canossian Secondary School • Ms Kamala Kausikan, , St Anthony’s

Canossian Secondary School • Mr Harvinder Singh, St Anthony’s

Canossian Secondary School

BOOK VENDORS

* Booklists will be uploaded on 10 Jul 2017 on NSLF website.

FINAL REMINDERS

• All teacher Ics are to check the programme on the website and inform the committee of any errors by 4 July. Email us at nationalschoolslitfest@gmail.com

• No supporters

• No parents or spouses

• Attendance tagging

• Please come at allocated slots

• Please have upper sec and lower sec attend separate keynote talks

• Please check your email address (Certificate of Participation)

Visit our website for more information:

http://nationalschoolslitfest.wikispaces.com