Action Song Competition For Primary Schools Rules And Guidelines 685b2p

English Carnival ACTION SONG COMPETITION FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS RULES AND GUIDELINES Competition Rules Eligibility  

This competition is open to Level One pupils from government-aided schools only. Each Action Song team comprises from the same school.

Team 

Each team should comprise 5 to 15 pupils inclusive of performers and musicians. Each team should be accompanied by 2 teachers.

Time 

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On-stage presentation is 5 to 8 minutes. Marks will be deducted thereafter. 2 minutes is allocated for stage preparation before and another 2 minutes after the presentation with the two teachers as stage technicians. Performance should be confined to the stage only. The timing of the presentation starts with the first movement or first word uttered by the singers or any sound effects produced.

Theme 

Choice or selection of theme is open.

Lyrics    

Lyrics can be original or adapted. Contestants are not allowed to refer to any notes or texts during presentation. Copies of the lyrics must be submitted to the organizers two weeks prior to the competition. Lyrics should not touch on sensitive issues such as race, religion, politics, etc.

Presentation 

Creativity is encouraged. Nevertheless, movements should not exceed and overwhelm the articulation of the song by the contestants. Miming and prompting is not allowed.

Props 

Props should be minimal.

Costume 

Participants should wear appropriate costumes in line with the characters they portray. 1

English Carnival Music   

Use of recorded music is allowed (only minus-one music). Use of musical instruments is allowed. However, musicians must sing and perform together with the team during presentation. The performance must be a continuous medley of songs without any obvious gaps or breaks.

Judges 

The competition shall be judged by a of 3 or 5 judges.

Decisions     

A of at least 3 or 5 judges will be appointed for all the rounds at all levels. Points will be awarded according to the score sheet. The team with the majority of votes will be declared the winner. The decision of the judges is final. Individual team marks will not be disclosed.

Prizes  

Plaques and certificates of achievement will be awarded to the winning teams. Certificates of participation will be awarded to all participating teams.

Note: The winning teams from the previous year may participate in the current year but the text and presentation must not be an exact replica.

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English Carnival

CHORAL SPEAKING COMPETITION FOR PRIMARY Competition Rules Eligibility  

This competition is open to pupils of government-aided schools from Year 4 to Year 6 only. Year 3 pupils are allowed to participate if they are from under enrolled schools. Each Choral Speaking team comprises from the same school.

Time 

For the primary school category, each team is given a presentation time limit of 5 to 8 minutes. Marks will be deducted thereafter.

Team  

Each team should comprise 30 to 35 pupils or students. A conductor should be appointed amongst these pupils or students. Each team should be accompanied by 4 teachers-in-charge.

Text     

Selection of texts may be in the form of poetry or short prose. Texts should preferably be original and authentic. Adapted texts including those from previous years should be acknowledged by citing the source. Participants are not allowed to refer to any notes or printed materials during the presentation. Materials presented must not touch on sensitive issues, such as race, religion, stereotyping, politics etc. Copies of choral speaking texts must be submitted to the organisers two weeks prior to the competition.

Attire  

All participants should be in school uniform when competing. The conductor may use gloves.

Exclusions  

There should be no inclusion of music, drama, costume, props or artificial sound effects. Any inclusion of singing, skit or physical movement should enhance and not dominate the presentation.

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English Carnival Stage Arrangement 

The arrangement of the teams on the stage will be in fixed 3-tiered rows.

Judges  

National level competitions should be judged by 5 or 7 judges. The Best Conductor should be judged by a separate of 3 judges.

Decisions    

Points will be awarded according to the scoresheet. Judges will collectively determine the placing by a clear majority vote. The decision of the judges is final. Individual team marks will not be disclosed.

Prizes  

Plaques and certificates of achievement will be awarded to the winning teams. Certificates of participation will be awarded to all participating teams.

Note: The winning teams from the previous year may participate in the current year but the text and presentation must not be an exact replica.

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English Carnival PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION FOR PRIMARY ELIGIBILITY 

This competition is open to pupils of government-aided schools from Year 4 to Year 6 only. Year 3 pupils are allowed to participate if they are from under enrolled schools.

PRIZES  

Plaques and certificates of achievement will be awarded to the winners. Certificates of participation will be awarded to all participants.

COMPETITION RULES 

The competition is divided into two sections, as follows: Section 1 : Prepared Speech - any topic Section 2 : Impromptu Speech

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For Section 1 (Prepared Speech), contestants are to observe the following rules:  Primary school contestants will deliver a prepared speech on a topic of their choice for 4 to 6 minutes.  Secondary school contestants will deliver a prepared speech on a topic of their choice for 6 minutes.  A warning bell will be sounded at the 5th minute and a final bell at the 6th minute. Marks will be deducted thereafter. For Section 2 (Impromptu Speech), contestants are to observe the following rules:  Contestants are given a topic four minutes before they are due to present the speech.  All contestants speak on the same topic.  The time allocated for the impromptu speech is three minutes.  A warning bell will be sounded at the 2nd minute and a final bell at the 3rd minute. Marks will be deducted thereafter.  The topic for the Impromptu Speech will be prepared and provided by the Division of Co-curriculum and Arts, Ministry of Education.

ADJUDICATION 

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A of at least 3 or 5 judges will be appointed for all the rounds at all levels. The competition at the national level will be judged by a of 5 judges, appointed by the Division of Co-curriculum and Arts, Ministry of Education. Points will be allocated according to the scoresheet. Judges will collectively determine the placing by a clear majority vote. The decision of the judges is final. Individual marks will not be disclosed.

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English Carnival 

The judging criteria for both the Prepared Speech and the Impromptu Speech are on two aspects as follows:  Subject Matter o Is the subject matter of the speech suitable and substantial? o Is the speech original and intelligent in its exploration of the subject? o Does the speaker develop the argument and the line of thought logically and effectively? o Is there a satisfactory conclusion which lends a sense of finality to the speech? o Does the speech carry a worthwhile and convincing message?  Use of Language o Is the message or point of view conveyed in clear, correct, comprehensible and appropriate language? o Are tone, pace, pauses and projection effective? o Does the speaker avoid distractions? o Is the speaker’s style confident, fluent and natural? o Does the speaker: .. use ineffectual repetitions e.g. “Ladies and Gentlemen”? .. use pompous and condescending language? .. overdramatize? .. make awkward pauses? .. over depend on notes, reading, shuffling palm cards? .. use inappropriate quotations? .. make jokes that are irrelevant or inappropriate?  Additional judging criteria for the Impromptu Speech include the following: o Does the speaker demonstrate the ability to think clearly and creatively? o Does the speaker express his views with conviction and / or humour? o Are the speaker’s remarks accurate, relevant, interesting and lucid? o Does the speaker use clear, correct, simple and fluent speech? o Does the speaker’s impromptu speech vary greatly from the prepared speech?

Note: The winners from the previous year may participate in the current year but the prepared text must not be an exact replica.

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English Carnival

STORYTELLING COMPETITION FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS (LEVEL 2) RULES AND REGULATIONS 

The competition is open to all government-aided schools. Only ONE contestant will represent his / her state at the national level.

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The competition is divided into two sections: Section 1 : Prepared - any story Section 2 : Impromptu

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For Section 1, contestants are to observe the following rules:  Stories presented can be authentic, adapted or originally written.  Stories presented must not touch on sensitive issues such as race, religion, stereotyping, politics, etc.  Stories must be thematically educational.  Contestants are only allowed to use the stand microphone provided to ensure minimal movement.  Props, backdrops and sound effects are not allowed. Any use of these will allow for disqualification by the judges.  Time allocated to present the story is 4 to 5 minutes. The bell will be rung at the 5th minute. Marks will be deducted thereafter. For Section 2, contestants are to observe the following rules:  Each contestant picks an envelope containing a card.  After 30 seconds, contestants tell their story based on a word (noun/adjective) or picture (one object) on the chosen card.  Stories told in Section 2 should not be a repetition or reproduction of any story presented in Section 1. Contestants will be disqualified if they do so.  Any inclusion of singing should enhance and not dominate the presentation.  Time allocated to present the impromptu story is 2 to 3 minutes. The bell will be rung at the 3rd minute. Marks will be deducted thereafter.

Infringement 

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A maximum of 10 marks will be deducted if a contestant:  touches on sensitive issues such as race, religion, politics, etc. – 2 marks  presents a story below the stipulated time – 2 marks for every minute  presents a story above the stipulated time – 2 marks for every minute  uses props, backdrops and electronically-aided sound effects – 2 marks  overdramatizing – 2 marks A contestant will be disqualified if:  he / she reads or refers to notes / reading materials. 7

English Carnival  he / she is prompted by another person. 3.6.3 he / she repeats any story presented in Section 1 during the impromptu session. ADJUDICATION 

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A of at least 3 or 5 judges will be appointed for all the rounds at all levels. The competition at the national level will be judged by a of 5 judges, appointed by the Division of Co-curriculum and Arts, Ministry of Education. Points will be allocated according to the scoresheet. The contestant with the majority of votes will be declared the winner. The decision of the judges is final. Individual marks will not be disclosed.

PRIZES  

Plaques and certificates of achievement will be awarded to the winning teams. Certificates of participation will be awarded to all participating teams.

Note: The winners from the previous year may participate in the current year but the text and presentation must not be an exact replica. This concept paper is valid until further notification or revision from the Ministry of Education and can be used at all levels for competitions organized by the Ministry.

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