Helen O'Grady International is hosting a national interschool competition for children in drama, music, elocution, spelling bee and poetry. The competition aims to help children build confidence, self-esteem, communication skills and the ability to project themselves. It is divided into 3 age groups and will take place in multiple countries. The document provides details on the rules and guidelines for each category of competition.
1. HELEN O’GRADY INTERNATIONAL PRESENTS
A NATIONAL LEVEL INTERSCHOOL COMPETITION FOR CHILDREN
IN DRAMA , MUSIC , ELOCUTION ,SPELLBEE & POETRY
2. The need of the hour is for children to be confident, develop self esteem, be
eloquent and have the ability to project them-selves well. Helen O’Grady
International has been helping children achieve all these objectives
effectively, for the last thirty four years in over twenty two countries all over the
world!
Helen O’ Grady founder and director of Helen O’ Grady International
widely acknowledged as a world expert in the field of developmental drama, in
September 2003, Trinity College Of London, one of the largest and best known
institutions of its kind in the world, recognized Helen’s unique achievements by
conferring on her an honorary Fellowship (F.T.C.L) the highest academic
qualification awarded by the college.
We understand the importance of competition for the children especially as they
progress and develop through the school. We out here at Helen O’ Grady
International are creating a platform where the children will be able to display
their talents . We promote the idea of sportsmanship and fair play through all of
these opportunities and the understanding that the taking part is the most
important thing.
3. We have divided the age groups into 3 categories:
1) Age group A :5 yrs to 8 yrs
2) Age group B :9 yrs to 12 yrs
3) Age group C :13 yrs and above.
4. Drama
"Tell me and I will forget.
Show me and I will remember.
Involve me and I will understand."
5. Drama provides training in the very PRACTICAL aspects of communication so necessary
in today's increasingly information-centered world. Students who have participated in
Dramatic activities are less likely to have difficulty SPEAKING IN PUBLIC, will be more
PERSUASIVE in their communications, both written and oral, will be better able to put
themselves into others' shoes and relate to them, and will have a more POSITIVE,
CONFIDENT SELF IMAGE.
Participation in Dramatic activity requires SELF CONTROL and DISCIPLINE that will
serve the student well in all aspects of life. Students in Drama will learn to WORK
TOGETHER, to cooperate, to find the best way for each member of a group to
contribute, and to listen to and accept the viewpoints and contributions of others.
More importantly, Drama can be used to promote ACTIVE LEARNING in any subject-to
give students a KINESTHETIC and EMPATHETIC understanding as well as an intellectual
understanding of a topic. Studies have shown again and again that this approach yields
greater DEPTH OF UNDERSTANDING and a marked improvement in retention
The Drama Competition serves as a platform for students to promote and demonstrate
creative ideas in their work. Drama provides the opportunity for students to exhibit
their talents and creativity in the art of dramatization; the usage of English which
incorporates script writing, directing, stage management and other technical aspects.
6. General Rules and Guide lines:
*Each team comprises a maximum of 15 participants.
*Each school can represent any number of teams for each age group.
*The selected teams will compete with the remaining schools.
*Duration of stage performance is limited to 15 minutes.
7. *The drama can incorporate one of the following themes but it’s not compulsory,
they have a choice to think of other themes.
-
Patriotism
Socio-cultural
Dynamism
Harmony
Historical Events
Myth/Legend
Participating teams are encouraged to use original scripts. Nevertheless,
translated scripts or interpretation of established plays are allowed.
Drama scripts and synopsis should be typed using Font 12 Times New
Roman on A4 paper and sent to the Organizing Committee one week
before the competition.
8. Judging is based on these criteria
1)Creativity of Drama
35 %
2)Language
35 %
3)Overall Coordination & Presentation
20 %
4)Positive Values/Message
10 %
Total
100%
Teams which do not abide the rules will be disqualified.
9. Language
*It is compulsory to use English Language throughout the drama
presentation. Nevertheless, limited use of certain Malay registers is
allowed.
*Use of vulgar words is strictly prohibited.
* Scripts must not touch on sensitive issues such as ethnic slur, religion
and personal issues.
Theme
*The drama must portray the selected theme. This criterion will be
evaluated through the script and presentation.
* Themes must not touch on political issues, racism, government policies
(except beneficial policies), religious issues (except those with moral
values) and other sensitive issues.
10. Costumes
Participants should wear appropriate and decent clothes that suit the
characters they portray.
Set and Props
Minimize use of set and props.
The set should be stable and its arrangement should not hinder the
movement of the team members on stage.
The use of sharp objects (such as knives, keris, etc.), flame and dangerous
chemical substance is prohibited.
Each team is encouraged to have a crew on duty for the set and props.
Ensure safety of the set and props used. Please clear the waiting area to
ensure that no equipment is lost or is a hindrance to the next team.
Music
Each team must have technical assistant/s to coordinate matters regarding
music.
Each team should have their own CDs or pen drives.
11. Lighting and Additional Equipment for Special Effects
Participants can utilize their own additional equipment. However, the
equipment used must be suitable on stage and does not disrupt the flow of the
drama presentation.
Each team must have a crew on duty to coordinate matters regarding lighting
and special effects.
Mannerism
Participants are reminded not to portray indecent actions, excessive
movements that might anger the audience or portray actions that might be
interpreted as indecent or negative.
The presentation should take into account the comfort and safety of
the audience and actors.
12. Duration of Time
Each team has 15 minutes to present their drama. Timing of the
presentation starts with the first movement of or first word uttered by the
actor/s.
Extra Five minutes is allocated for the setting up of the set and props and
another five minutes after the drama for the removal of the set and props.
Judging
The result is based on the jury system.
The decision of the judges is final.
13. MUSIC
Music helps develop children's language skills , self-esteem , listening
skills , math skills , music trains the brain for higher forms of thinking and
teaches children about sequential learning which is essential in reading
comprehension . Music encourages creativity in children.
*THE MUSIC COMPETITION IS INTENDED TO DEMONSTRATE STUDENT’S
INSTRUMENTAL AND VOCAL MUSIC SKILLS.
14. General Rules and Guidelines:
*Select a song you would consider to be your "signature
song."
* Ensure that your voice can be heard distinctly over the
music or background vocals.
* Select the best song for your voice, age and gender.
* Judging is based purely on vocals and musical
accompaniment.
*groups are required to submit a letter listing all the
members of the group.
15. Time Limits:
Each Performance should not exceed 5mins.
If it’s a group, then it should not exceed 8 musicians.
The following instrumentation is recommended but not
required:
*
*
*
*
*
*
guitar
piano
guitar
harp
violins
Trumpets
16. Elocution
Elocution is the art of learning how to speak correctly and
emphasizes correct accent, grammar, pronunciation, tone, and
stress, as well as how to stand and how to gesture when giving a
speech.
An elocution competition at school level gives students a good
opportunity to combat with the biggest fear factor i.e. stage fear.
17. General Rules and Guidelines:
The prepared speech is to be of maximum five (5) minutes duration on a topic
of the contestant’s choice. The topic should have substance, which in the time
available should be developed logically to a convincing conclusion. [Judges will
be looking for knowledge of the subject matter, sincerity in the presentation of
material, skillful development of the theme and the effective use of plain
English. Originality is encouraged.]
*Speech notes are not to be used by competitors in the presentation of their
speeches.
*Quotes or reference from any scripture written by others in the deliberation
are allowed.
*A warning bell will be given at the end of four minutes, then at five minutes.
*It is compulsory to use English Language throughout the speech .Nevertheless,
limited use of certain Malay registers is allowed . Use of vulgar words is strictly
prohibited.
*Speeches must not touch on sensitive issues such as ethnic slur, religious
issues, racism, government policies (except beneficial policies values) and other
sensitive issues and personal issues.
19. SPELL BEE
Spelling is important because it aids in reading. It helps cement
the connection that is shared between sounds and letters.
Learning high frequency sight words also has been shown to
help with both reading and writing.
Think you can S-P-E-L-L? Join the fun !
20. General Rules and Guidelines:
WORD LIST
The word list will be generated from the officials of the spelling bee Word
lists are referenced from online websites, teachers, and Webster’s
Dictionary.
Speller’s Role
The speller faces the judges and pronounces the word before spelling it
and after spelling it.
21. The speller is responsible for any misunderstandings of
the word unless:
- The pronouncer never provided a correct pronunciation.
- The pronouncer provided incorrect information regarding the
definition.
- The speller correctly spelled a homonym of the word and the
pronouncer failed to offer a definition.
Each speller has one minute to spell the word. The time begins
when the pronouncer says the word.
22. Each speller has one minute to spell the word. The time begins when
the pronouncer says the word.
The student must spell the word correctly on the first try.
- This is not allowed: Apple, a-p-l …… a-p-p-l-e, Apple
However, students are allowed to stop spelling, and begin spelling a
word again, as long as the letters are the same as the first attempt.
- This is allowed: Apple, a-p-p……a-p-p-l-e, Apple
Students are allowed to write the word first. They should use a small
whiteboard and marker to write the word. The whiteboard should be
personal and not in view of the audience or the judges table.
23. The judges will disqualify a speller who:
*Refuses a request to start spelling.
*Does not approach the stage or designated area when it is time to receive
their word.
*Engages in unsportsmanlike conduct.
*Alters the letters or sequence of letters from those first stated.
*While spelling, says unintelligible sounds
The judges may not disqualify a speller for:
*Failing to pronounce the word either before or after spelling it.
*Asking questions.
24. Poetry
Poetry provides a relaxed and pleasant way for students to practice
language skills . Rhymes are important for language development,
cognitive development, social /emotional development and physical
development.
This is a great opportunity for young poets to showcase their work
and to make their voices heard through their poetry.
25. General Rules and Guidelines:
*Previously published poems in other contests, books and magazines are
accepted and welcomed.
*All poems must not exceed 30 lines, they need to be submitted to the panel
one week before the competition.
*Poems should be in English must be recited from memory. A student must
say the title of the poem and the poet’s name before each recitation. A
student’s editorial comments before or after a poem are not allowed.
