HELEN O’GRADY INTERNATIONAL PRESENTS

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 yrsto 8 yrs 2) Age group B :9 yrsto 12 yrs 3) Age group C :13 yrsand 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.

18. Judging Criteria: 1. Approach/Departure 2. Appearance 3. Poise/Self-confidence 4. Voice projection/Inflection 5. Diction/Enunciation 6. Intoduction/Closing 7. Major Points/Facts 8. Illustrations/Anecdotes 9. Facial Expressions 10. Gestures 11. Eye Contact 12. Enthusiasm 13. Persuasiveness 14. Originality 15. Ideas Clearly Presented 16. Worthwhile Message

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. WORD LIST • Speller’s Role General Rules and Guidelines: 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. 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.