VCAA Plain English Speaking Award Report · PDF fileImpromptu speech ... the 2011 Victorian...

VCAA PLAIN ENGLISH SPEAKING AWARD2011

REPORT

VCAA PLAIN ENGLISH SPEAKING AWARD 2011

REPORT

Prepared by

Carole Lander Manager, Information Services

and

Gillian Le and Sean Felix Information Services

VCAA PLAIn EnGLISh SPEAkInG AwArd – 2011 rEPort

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Contents

2011 overview ............................................................................................................................................. 3

Background .................................................................................................................................................. 3

Purpose ........................................................................................................................................................ 4

definition of Plain English............................................................................................................................ 4

Format.......................................................................................................................................................... 4

Prepared speech ................................................................................................................................... 4

Impromptu speech ................................................................................................................................ 4

Adjudication ................................................................................................................................................. 5

Adjudication criteria .................................................................................................................................... 5

regional finals ............................................................................................................................................. 6

Semifinals .................................................................................................................................................... 6

State final..................................................................................................................................................... 6

national final ............................................................................................................................................... 7

Curriculum and the Plain English Speaking Award ..................................................................................... 8

Finance......................................................................................................................................................... 9

Promotion .................................................................................................................................................... 9

Appendix A ....................................................................................................................................................... 11

2011 regional finals host schools ............................................................................................................. 11

Participating schools and students ........................................................................................................... 12

Appendix B ....................................................................................................................................................... 16

2011 Semifinals ......................................................................................................................................... 16

Appendix C ....................................................................................................................................................... 21

2011 national final winning speech .................................................................................................... 21

Appendix d ....................................................................................................................................................... 25

Statistics .................................................................................................................................................... 25

Appendix E ........................................................................................................................................................ 29

Publicity ..................................................................................................................................................... 29


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Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority Plain English Speaking Award

2011 Overview

In 2011 a total of 226 students from 128 schools across Victoria participated in regional finals of the Plain English Speaking Award. twenty-nine regional finals took place in metropolitan and regional Victoria during May.

winners from each of the regional finals went on to speak at four semifinals held at the treasury theatre, East Melbourne in June.

the state final of the Plain English Speaking Award took place on 30 June 2011 at the treasury theatre, East Melbourne.

the 2011 Victorian winner of the VCAA Plain English Speaking Award was Ellie Jamonts from Star of the Sea College, Gardenvale. the runner-up was Ian Collins from Eltham College of Education.

Ellie Jamonts competed in the national final of the Plain English Speaking Award which took place in Sydney on 15 August 2011.

Comparative figures on student participation in the Award can be found in Appendix d.

Background

the Plain English Award was introduced in Victoria in 1977 as part of the celebrations of the 25th year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. the inaugural event was so successful that it became an annual event. In 1978 other states and territories in Australia were invited to join, and in a few years all were taking part.

In 2003 the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) took on the coordination of the Plain English Speaking Award from the department of Education and training. In 2003 and 2004 the VCAA continued the department’s partnership with the Plain English Foundation Inc. but this organisation disbanded at the end of 2004 and since 2005 the Award in Victoria has been the sole responsibility of the VCAA.

once again, the Australia-Britain Society and resources for Courses sponsored the VCAA Plain English Speaking Award in 2010.

the Award is covered by a Constitution which was adopted by the national Council at the Annual General Meeting of 1999 and updated in 2005 and 2007.


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Purpose

the Plain English Speaking Award provides opportunities for students to build self-confidence and extend their skills in oral communication, speech writing and research.

Each year, state and territory committees, working in cooperation with education bodies, organise and conduct the award at school, regional and state levels. State winners then attend the national final which is held in the various state and territory capitals on a rotational basis. this year the national final was held in Sydney, new South wales.

Definition of Plain English

the definition of Plain English is – ‘the use of the right words, in the right way, to convey meaning in the clearest, simplest, shortest and most courteous way possible’.

the ability to use Plain English in spoken communication is an invaluable skill for individuals throughout their lifetimes, not only for formal presentations needed for work and study, but also in family and community activities and everyday interactions with other people.

oral communication is one of nine employability skills and an element of the Interdisciplinary domain Communication in the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS). oral communication skills have been a significant feature of educational developments in Australia over the past decade. All curriculum frameworks on which schools base their programs place emphasis on speaking and listening skills.

Format

the format of the Award was unchanged for 2011, and was the same for the school, regional and state finals.

Students presented a prepared speech and an impromptu speech as follows:

Prepared speech

• Students present a prepared speech of six minutes on a topic of their choice.

• A warning bell sounds at five minutes and a final bell at six minutes.

Impromptu speech

• the VCAA selects a topic to be covered by all the participants in that round of the competition (e.g. regional final, semifinal).

• Participants present a three-minute speech, for which they have four minutes of preparation time.

• A warning bell sounds at two minutes and a final bell at three minutes.


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Adjudication

Adjudicators for the regional, semifinals and state final included:

• teachers from government, Catholic and independent schools

• staff members from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority

• freelance educators, directors and public speaking professionals.

Adjudicators for the state final were:

• Mr Peter Guest, Education consultant

• dr James hillis, PESA adjudicator

• Ms Susan Leslie, Education consultant.

Adjudication criteria

Students are adjudicated on the quality and depth of their subject matter, the structure of their arguments, their use of Plain English, their presentation and delivery and their ability to demonstrate a broad general knowledge and quick thinking for the impromptu speech.


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Regional finals

A total of twenty-nine regional finals were held across Victoria between 16 and 27 May 2011. the VCAA is grateful to the schools who agreed to host a regional final in 2011 (see Appendix A).

A total of 226 students from 128 schools participated in these regional finals. of these:

• 95 schools and 164 students were from metropolitan areas

• 35 schools and 62 students were from regional areas.

of the 226 students who participated in the Award in 2011:

• 79 were from government schools

• 54 were from Catholic schools

• 93 were from independent schools

• 145 students were female and 81 were male.

Semifinals

In 2011, four semifinal events were held at the treasury theatre, East Melbourne on 28 and 29 June, three with eight speakers and one with eight speakers.

of the 29 students who participated in the semifinals:

• eight were from government schools, eight were from Catholic schools and 13 were from independent schools

• 21 were from metropolitan schools and eight were from regional schools

• thirteen were female and 16 male.

See Appendix B for names and speech topics of semifinalists.

State final

A total of seven speakers competed in the state final 2011 at the treasury theatre, East Melbourne on 30 June. they were:

• Allison Ballantyne, woodleigh School, Baxter

• Ian Collins, Eltham College of Education

• Christopher davie-Smythe, St Bede’s College, Mentone

• Gemma hallett, Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar, Cantebury

• Ellie Jamonts, Star of the Sea College, Gardenvale

• Georgia kay, Lauriston Girls’ School, Armadale

• Julien nithianandan, Melbourne high School, South Yarra


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this represents:

• one government school

• four independent schools

• two Catholic schools

• seven metropolitan schools and no regional schools

• four female students and three male students.

the winner of the state final was Ellie Jamonts from Star of the Sea College, Gardenvale and the runner-up was Ian Collins from Eltham College of Education.

National final

the national final is held on a rotational basis in the states and territories of Australia and this year it took place in Sydney, new South wales on Monday 15 August 2011.

the national winner was Ellie Jamonts from Star of the Sea College, Gardenvale, Victoria and runner-up was nicholas Banks, South Australia.

Ellie Jamonts was accompanied to Sydney by Carole Lander, coordinator of the VCAA Plain English Speaking Award in Victoria. Ellie’s airfare and accommodation were generously sponsored by the Australia-Britain Society of Victoria, represented by its president Andrew hilton.

on the weekend prior to the national final, the students and national Council members were taken to the Art Gallery of new South wales, the State Library and on a cruise of Sydney harbour as part of a tour. the purpose of the day is for the students from across Australia to bond while discovering a new city.

there are three sponsors for the national final:

• the Australia-Britain Foundation fund the organisation of the national final in Sydney

• BBM Ltd provide prize money for the winner and runner-up to go to London, England in May 2012 to compete in the International English Speaking Union Public Speaking Final

• the English Speaking Union donate towards the runner-up prize.

the state and territory representatives (who form the national Council) met to present reports on their state/territory competition for 2011 and discuss the future of the Award. It was agreed that the location for the 2012 national final will be Brisbane, Queensland.


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Awards and prizes

All students who competed in the 2011 regional finals received a Certificate of Participation.

winners of the 2011 regional finals, who went on to compete in the semifinals, received a Plain English Speaking Award lapel badge.

winners of the 2011 semifinals, who went on to the state final, received a certificate and a book voucher generously donated by the Australia-Britain Society ($100 for the winner, $75 for other state finalists).

the 2011 state finalist (Ellie Jamonts) was presented with a personalised trophy donated by the Australia-Britain Society.

the 2011 state finalist’s school (Star of the Sea College) was presented with a perpetual trophy also donated by the Australia-Britain Society.

the national finalist received a trophy and $8000 from BBM Ltd to enable her to attend the international competition in England.

the national runner-up received $4000 towards the trip to England from BBM Ltd and $1500 from the English Speaking Union.

Curriculum and the Plain English Speaking Award

the Plain English Speaking Award provides opportunities for students to build self-confidence and extend their skills in researching, speechwriting and public speaking.

the Award also provides a focus and a context for teachers in middle and senior years to develop key skills for the achievement of outcomes in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) and the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) at Level 6.

teachers can use participation in the Award as preparation for assessment in VCE English/ESL outcome 1 or outcome 3, VCAL Literacy (oral Communication) and/or VCAL Personal development Skills.

the Award also supports learning and assessment in the Prep to Year 10 curriculum, in a range of Level 6 VELS learning domains.


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Finance

the annual VCAA budget covers the following aspects of the Victorian Plain English Speaking Award:

• venue hire for semi and state finals

• catering at semi and state finals

• design of certificates and programs

• printing of certificates and programs

• travel costs for some adjudicators

• fees or Crt payments for adjudicators

• accommodation for adjudicators travelling to regional finals

• lapel badges for student participants.

Each participating school pays an entry fee of $50.00 and they can enter a maximum of two students in the regional finals. host schools are exempt from this fee as they provide refreshments at their final.

Promotion

At the start of the academic year all secondary schools receive a letter informing them of the format of the Plain English Speaking Award. they are directed to the VCAA website for further information and the entry form.

they also receive a promotional poster, printing costs for which are covered by sponsor resources for Courses.

throughout the year articles are printed in the VCAA Bulletin VCE, VCAL and VEt and Inspire (published by the department of Education and Early Childhood development) to promote the Award. Both these publications are widely read by Victorian teachers.

After each regional final, schools of winning students are sent a pro forma media release so that they can contact their local newspaper.


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Appendix A

2011 Regional finals host schools

date host school town/Suburb

TERM 2Monday 16 May Mentone Girls’ Grammar School Mentone

Monday 16 May McGuire College Shepparton

Monday 16 May Melbourne high School South Yarra

Monday 16 May warrnambool College warrnambool

tuesday 17 May Girton Grammar School Bendigo

tuesday 17 May our Lady of Mercy College heidelberg

tuesday 17 May Caroline Chisholm Catholic College Braybrook

wednesday 18 May Pascoe Vale Girls Secondary College Pascoe Vale

wednesday 18 May ringwood Secondary College (two sessions) ringwood

thursday 19 May heathdale Christian College werribee

thursday 19 May northcote high School northcote

Friday 20 May koonung Secondary College Mont Albert

Friday 20 May St Bede’s College Mentone

Friday 20 May Brunswick Secondary College Brunswick

Monday 23 May Scotch College hawthorn

Monday 23 May Ballarat and Clarendon College Ballarat

Monday 23 May william ruthven Secondary College reservoir

tuesday 24 May Strathcona Girls Grammar School Canterbury

tuesday 24 May Ballarat Secondary College Ballarat

tuesday 24 May Melbourne Girls Grammar School South Yarra

wednesday 25 May the Geelong College newtown

wednesday 25 May Geelong Grammar School Corio

wednesday 25 May kilbreda College Mentone

thursday 26 May Gippsland Grammar School Sale

thursday 26 May Xavier College kew

Friday 27 May toorak College (two sessions) Mt Eliza

Friday 27 May wesley College Glen waverley


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Participating schools and students

Government schools

School Students participatingBallarat high School Matt Briody and Alice Fitzgerald

Ballarat Secondary College Shaun Grice

Ballarat South Community Learning Precinct Bethany davey and kayla niklaus

Balwyn high School tomas kenwery and Maisy Stratford-hutchings

Bayside P–12 College – Paisly Campus Gyrah Abatago and Philippine Le Jalle

Bendigo South East College Lauren riggall and Alexander Morton

Brauer College, warrnambool Zach Mooseek and Jackson Mckenzie

Brunswick Secondary College Brianna Inturrisi

Bundoora Secondary College Jenny Stramilos and Sarah Putnam

Carrum downs Secondary College Aiden Mckee

Crusoe College 7–10 Secondary College Michael trimble and tori Bittner

doncaster Secondary College Mathew Grant and nurul driver

Forest hill College ricky Cumming and Lauren Johnson

Frankston high School kimberly Pellosis

Geelong high School holly Vanderpol and tegan whitten

Gilmore College Geraldine Gray and Elsie daddow

Glen Eira College Michal Boneh and Judith Joshua

Glen waverley Secondary College Aarabi raveendiran and Joyce wang

Gleneagles Secondary College Cane thompson and Shaun McMahon

Grovedale College Sean Fuller and Liah Stewart

koonung Secondary College Lachlan walden and daniel Youssef

kyabram P–12 College katie Mitchell and Jacqueline Bentley

Mac.robertson Girls’ high School olivia wan and Bridget Bourke

Maribyrnong College Michael Samarin and Molly davidson

McClelland College Corallane Pohlman and Sarah roberts

McGuire College navjit kaur and Ahmed Alramahi

Melbourne high School Julien nithianandan and Santhak tandon

Mortlake College Justin Fagan

Mount Eliza Secondary College Lauren witney and natasha Sharp

noble Park Secondary College nargis dost

northcote high School ruby Bell and Azra Susic

nossal high School Stephanie rowlston and Sahra Abdulle

oberon high School Claire Menzel and tara trevaskis

Pascoe Vale Girls College Emily wild and Samangi Fernando

Pembroke Secondary College (Senior Campus) Sarah Fraser

Preston Girls Secondary College Chantelle Bear and Mariam Abou-Eid

ringwood Secondary College Erin Manuel and Mitchell Pirera


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School Students participatingSt helena Secondary College Ethan Miller and Stephanie Cairns

Swifts Creek School Meg Gallagher and kimberley Crabtree

warracknabeal Secondary College Jourdan harris

warrnambool College Fletcher diamantis and Courtney Anders

werribee Secondary College Joshua rose and Alice-Ginevra Michelli

western heights Secondary College travis Lines

william ruthven Secondary College Gurpreet Bhogal and Ashlea Mackertich

Catholic schools

School Students participatingAquinas College Betsy Sojan

Ave Maria College Julia Fimiani and Sarah Philip

Avila College Sashika harasgama and Meera Fernandes

Caroline Chisholm Catholic College Joseph Muscatello and Elizabeth nguyen

Catholic College Sale Mitchell Morelli and Allison Murphy

damascus College rory Purdie

Emmanuel College, Altona north Jack Fryer and Liam daley

Emmanuel College, warrnambool Aaron hussey and rebecca kelly

Genazzano FCJ College Brigid Brown and nicola nemeric

kilbreda College katja Simao

killester College rebecca Gonsalves and Cassandra tonkin

Loreto College Ballarat Sarah oakley and Alexandra Mathieson

Loreto Mandeville hall Siobhan Cooke

Marian College Myrtleford Jacinta russo and Emma Buckingham

Mercy College, Coburg rochelle Francis and Bethel Belay

notre dame College Ciaran Marchant

our Lady of Mercy College danielle dickson and Emily Abrahams

Parade College daniel Yates and Paul trafficante

Sacred heart Girls’ College Molly noone and Melissa Peppin

Salesian College Chadstone Mathew Mennilli and Ava Amedia

Siena College Shannon Bethune and Catherine dent

St Bede’s College Michael Buck and Christopher davie-Smythe

St Columba’s College Elizabeth tito

St Francis Xavier College Ellie kelsch

St Joseph’s College, Geelong Edward hubber and Michael walsh

St Joseph’s College, Echuca Caitlin Meyer

St Monica’s College riya Bhatara and haynes d’Souza

St Patrick’s College killian Plastow and dimitry Makeev

St kevin’s College Giancarlo tymms and daniel Sango

Star of the Sea College Ellie Jamonts and dana Santon

Xavier College Sebastian reinehr and Matthew Minas


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Independent schools

School Students participatingAl-taqwa College Sukaina Zaidi and Emina hajdarevic

Ballarat and Clarendon College Georgia McCormick and thomas diaz

Ballarat Grammar Arunditi Sharma

Beth rivkah Ladies College Annie rosenberg

Brighton Grammar School Scott Collie and Mark Lutjen

Camberwell Anglican Girls Grammar School nora Merralls and Ella hanscombe

Carey Baptist Grammar School Alexandra targett and tara Grayson

Caulfield Grammar School – wheelers hill Campus daniel wright-neville

Christian College, Geelong Ben McCarthy and Jacob Jeffery

donvale Christian College duncan Caillard and Amanda Stanford

Eltham College of Education Ian Collins and Yasmine Luu

Fintona Girls School Eleanor Murray and Michelle La

Flinders Christian Community College (tyabb) hannah Callow

Geelong Grammar School James Eddington and kedar Abhyankar

Gippsland Grammar School Catherine webb and Melis rutherford

Girton Grammar School Lauren Shearman and kim Farmer

Good Shepherd College Alice Edge and rachel Alexander

haileybury College Joseph Moore and tushar ramesh

haileybury Girls’ College Ailsa wallace

heathdale Christian College George tallispolous and Emylee Ephraums

huntingtower School Elois Verbeek and Andrew Bates

Ilim College nuzha wazeer and kaossarr Moubarak

Isik College, dandenong Campus talya Alkilic and Gamze Cicek

Isik College, Meadow Fair Campus Muhammed Yelegin and kursat onat

kingswood College Shahzad Billimoria

Lauriston Girls’ School Georgia kay

Maranatha Christian College rebekah de Losa

Melbourne Girls Grammar School Bernice Chen and Anna Gruen

Mentone Girls’ Grammar School Megan Shellie and helena Bromidis

Mentone Grammar Eloise Culic and Saurish Mody

Methodist Ladies’ College Susan travis and kate Masters

Minaret College Maraim hassan and Magartu Saleh

Mount Scopus Memorial College Ashlee Chapman


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School Students participatingMountain district Christian School Penelope Mitchell

overnewton Anglican Community College Jessica Le and Joseph Pensa

Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School Lainey Essex and Jessica hern

ruyton Girls’ School tenille rollnick and Clare Seton

Scotch College Byron white and Ashley Vines

St Andrews Christian College Andrew Snooks and Jessica Bong

St Catherine’s School Frederique Curtis and Charlotte Brock

St Leonard’s College rachel Amos

St Pauls Anglican Grammar School, traralgon nicole Moon and Ashley diCicro

Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar School Gemma hallett and hayley daniel

the Geelong College George threadgold and Eliza Panckridge

the hamilton and Alexandra College tegan Gibbons and Sarah Edwards

the king david School Josh Marlow and Sapir turkenitz

the Peninsula School katherine Allman and Christopher Glerum

toorak College rosie Cham and Lucinda walravens

trinity Grammar School wallace huang

waverley Christian College natassia Ludowyke and david Mimery

wesley College, Glen waverley Anna harrison and rohan d’Souza

wesley College, St kilda Achol Arow and Aiden Lin

woodleigh School Allison Ballantyne


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Appendix B

2011 Semifinals

Treasury Theatre, East Melbourne, Tuesday 28 June (morning)

Finalist School Topic

haynes d’Souza St Monica’s College China: friend or foe?

Bethany daveyBallarat South Community Learning Precinct

different generations

Ian Collins Eltham College of Education Julian Assange terrorist?

Ellie Jamonts Star of the Sea College our wonderful liberal feminist society

Andrew Snooks St Andrew’s Christian College rejoice not when your enemy falls

Emina hajdarevic Al-taqwa College Eating to live or living to eat?

Ashley Vines Scotch College two way learning

tuesday 28 June (morning)(l to r): Bethany davey (Ballarat South Community Learning Precinct), haynes d’Souza (St Monica’s College), Ian Collins (Eltham College of Education), Ellie Jamonts (Star of the Sea College), Andrew Snooks (St Andrew’s Christian College), Emina hajdarevic (Al-taqwa College), Ashley Vines (Scotch College).


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Treasury Theatre, East Melbourne, Tuesday 28 June (afternoon)


Allison Ballantyne woodleigh School Same sex marriage

Alexander Morton Bendigo South East College Socrates, Jung and donkey kong

Elizabeth tito St Columba’s College Just like us

Shahzad Bililmoria kingswood College Park 51

nicola nemaric Genazzano FCJ College Child pageants

travis Lines western heights Secondary College who am I?

Gemma hallettStrathcona Baptist Girls Grammar School

Internet censorship in Australia is undemocratic

tomas kenwery Balwyn high School Seeking approval

tuesday 28 June (afternoon)(l to r): Elizabeth tito (St Columba’s College), nicola nemaric (Genazzano FCJ College), Alexander Morton (Bendigo South East College), Allison Ballantyne (woodleigh School), tomas kenwery (Balwyn high School), Shahzad Bilimoria (kingswood College), travis Lines (western heights Secondary College), Gemma hallett (Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar School).


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Treasury Theatre, East Melbourne, Wednesday 29 June (morning)


Christopher davie-Smythe St Bede’s College thought for food

Georgia kay Lauriston Girls’ School dabbawalla’s of Mumbai

Liam daley Emmanuel Colllege, Altona north we are what we speak

ruby Bell northcote high School Classism

Aiden Mckee Carrum downs Secondary College the purpose of sex

katherine Allman the Peninsula School organ donation in Australia

James Eddington Geelong Grammar School the blues

wednesday 29 June (morning)(l to r): Georgia kay (Lauriston Girls’ School), Christopher davie-Smythe (St Bede’s College), Liam daley (Emmanuel College, Altona north), Aiden Mckee (Carrum downs Secondary College), ruby Bell (northcote high School), James Eddington (Geelong Grammar School), katherine Allman (the Peninsula School).


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treasury Theatre, East Melbourne, Wednesday 29 June (afternoon)


Aaron hussey Emmanuel College, warrnambool the social monster

Georgia McCormick Ballarat and Clarendon College Generational conflict

Julien nithianandan Melbourne high School the teenage drinking epidemic

kimberley Crabtree Swifts Creek School designer babies

daniel wright-nevilleCaulfield Grammar School – wheelers hills Campus

Assuming democracy

Jacinta russo Marian College, Myrtleford Love and marriage

Andrew Bates huntingtower School the other side of Anzac day

wednesday 29 June (afternoon)(l to r): Aaron hussey (Emmanuel College, warrnambool), Julien nithianandan (Melbourne high School), Georgia McCormick (Ballarat and Clarendon College), daniel wright-neville (Caulfield Grammar School – wheelers hill), kimberley Crabtree (Swifts Creek School), Andrew Bates (huntingtower School), Jacinta russo (Marian College, Myrtleford).


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Ellie Jamonts

Left: Andrew hilton, President of the Australia-Britain Society presents the state finalist’s trophy to Ellie Jamonts.

Below: (l to r) Andrew hilton, Luke Chircop (2010 PESA State finalist), Ellie Jamonts, Michelle Sweeny (English teacher at Star of the Sea College).

Ellie Jamonts and Ian Collins

Back row: Christopher davie-Smythe, Georgia kay, Julien nithiandan and Gemma hallett. Front row: Allison Ballantyne, Ian Collings, Ellie Jamonts

2011 State final


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Appendix C

2011 National final

Winning speech

ELLIE JAMONTS – Star of the Sea, Gardenvale

Our wonderful liberal feminist society

how many men does it take to open a beer? none, it should be open when she brings it to you.

what’s the difference between a woman and a battery? A battery has a positive side.

what have you done wrong when your wife comes out of the kitchen and starts nagging you? You’ve made the chain too long.

A few decades ago, these jokes would have been met with a shout of laughter and murmur of agreement. ‘tsk, augh ... women.’ Even earlier, around the turn of last century, comments like these would have been told in utter secrecy between men, at pubs where women were forbidden to enter. Unlike today, when jokes like these are openly acknowledged as politically incorrect, this sexist humour was just a part of the broader oppression of women. It was in your face and impossible to ignore. As a result, the feminists of the first and second waves had something tangible to fight, something they could grasp and change. there were laws that could be put in place, opinions they could shift. And now that this period of change is over, shouldn’t women be on a perfect parallel to men? Isn’t sexism a thing of the past?

Sexism. without sexism, there would be no need for feminism. Both are terms that are thrown around a lot in this, the third wave of feminism, so much so that they’ve almost lost their meanings. the word sexism certainly has changed since it was coined in 1965 at the beginning of the second wave. It was modelled on the word racism by a woman named Pauline Leet, an American academic and feminist. She lived in a world where the discrimination against women was on a par with the oppression of different ethnicities. Put simply, sexism was a term made by a feminist for feminists.

So what does it mean today?

As I mentioned, we’re currently in the third wave of feminism. this is the most liberal of the three waves, fighting for total equality in all corners of the globe. It’s a far cry from the first wave, which was the fight for women’s suffrage in the early 1900s. All they wanted was the right to vote, nothing more. then came the second wave of the late 60s and 70s. It featured such women as Valerie Solanas, author of the SCUM manifesto. the charming name is an excellent indication of the contents – it features the idea that the Y chromosome was some kind of horrible genetic mistake. Sorry. of course, not all second wave feminists were as, er, passionate as Ms Solanas, and as a result are less publicised. one woman, Gloria Steinem, had similar, although far more realistic, views to Valerie Solanas, but as she didn’t shoot at Andy warhol she is mostly forgotten. this is the way it was for many


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second wave feminists. the newspapers wanted to portray every feminist as a man-hater; what did it benefit them to run a story about a reasonable woman with a reasonable cause?

now, luckily for us, we’ve come out the other side of the second wave and find ourselves in the third. this is the wave that allows for complete and utter choice: in clothing, in jobs and in lives. Another advantage: sexism is officially prohibited. the government and society have put strict regulations on what is acceptable. nobody – women in particular – is to be discriminated against – not in work, at home, and most definitely not in public.

not that these rules always matter. the idea of a glass ceiling – the unspoken barrier between women and leading positions in companies – has evolved under these new regulations – with some obvious political exceptions, of course. Before, there was a rule, well-known to the community: women don’t work, and those who do do not achieve any kind of power. of course, in our wonderful liberal feminist society, sexism has adapted. And it’s adapted well. Instead of a sign in the window – ‘woMEn nEEd not APPLY’ – there’s a quiet decision by those in charge of hiring to disregard the application of the young married woman, just in case she becomes pregnant. I mean, we can bleat all we like about nothing holding the modern woman back, but I figure there must be something when I can count the number of major female CEos in Australia on one hand.

So where does this come from? I attend an all-girls school – the very school Germaine Greer attended – and am constantly encouraged to do whatever I dream to. I have female friends who are receiving the skills they need to become engineers, hairdressers, tradespeople and politicians. the problem isn’t here.

really, the problem is not with the third wave of feminism at all. It’s this kind of sense of security we’ve wrapped ourselves up in, this idea of “well, okey now, the battle for equality is over”. Ladies and gentlemen, feminism as won many, many battles, but it has not won the war. Look at pay parity. this year, CommSec figures revealed that the Australian woman, earns, on average, $12 000 less per year than men. that’s shocking, almost unbelievable. what’s stranger to hear is that, despite this, feminism is almost going ‘out of fashion’. the expectance of equal rights is something this generation have come to expect, like fluoride in the water. what’s there to fight for? why put in the effort? You might just get laughed at, or something equally unimaginable. Suddenly, the staging of any kind of public protest appears to be the domain of university students, street-corner Socialists and environmental terrorists rather than the average woman. I remember, a few months ago, I overheard a couple of girls talking about a particular protest in which a small band of women stripped down to their smalls in protest of the ‘perfect body’ the media insists we must have. I think their conversation is well summarised in the words of one of them: ‘I kind of understand what they mean, but if you’re that fat you shouldn’t do anything in your underpants. Amiright?’

Is this really what we’ve come to? Is this really what Emily wilding davison and Millicent Fawcett, Germaine Greer and – well – Valerie Solanas struggled for? these are women who threw themselves in front of horses and burnt their bras in the street! And, in comparison to the ‘behind the scenes’ work the feminists did, these powerful symbols are tiny. So how can we show them the respect they deserve and carry on their legacy is we consider a large woman with a point too fat to make it heard? Sure, we have a female Prime Minister, but this landmark of a woman is constantly critiqued for the way her hair looks, or the way the colour of her suit brings out her eyes oh-so well. of course, while we’ve always been quick to comment on our leader’s appearances – John howard’s eyebrows, anyone? – I think you’d struggle to say that Julia Gillard receives an equal amount of scrutiny. how can we deal with this?


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well, just as sexism has adapted to be unspoken, the feminist struggle against it has changed too. All of a sudden, women have heaped responsibility on the shoulders of Gail kelly, westpac’s CEo and Anna Bligh, Queensland’s Premier. Powerful shoulders, but whatever happened to ‘many hands make light work?’ the days of earth-moving feminist uprisings are gone as, quite simply, there’s less to uprise against. there’s nothing attackable out there – what we have to deal with is the covert sexism here, subtle as it is.

In 1965, sexism meant what it does today. But how sexism affects the world is quite different. Instead of direct discrimination, it’s ‘snuck in’ to corporate and private worlds. we need to reconsider where the battle lies, and perhaps realise that it’s moved from out there with them to in here with us.


25

Appendix D

Statistics

2011

Government34.9% Independent

41.2%

Catholic23.9%

Student participation by school sectorRegional Finals

Student participation by school sectorSemifinals

Government27.6%

Independent44.8%

Catholic27.6%


26

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%2008 2009 2010 2011 2008 2009 2010 2011 2008 2009 2010 2011

25.5%24.4% 28.9%

37%

37.5%

43.8%16.7%

16.7%

100%

66.7%

40.09% 39.1%

32.1%

35%

13.33% 31.3%

35%

25%

44.8%

27.6%

27.6%

14.3%

28.6%

35.5% 32%

24%

41%

35%

32.1% 53.33%

57.1%

42.9%

0%

57.1%

School Sector of competing studentsAll finals 2008–2011

Government

Regional Finals Semifinals State Final

Catholic Independent


27

Host schoolsRegional finals 2006–2011

Total numberof finals

Metropolitan

Regional

02006 2007 2008 2009 2010

5

6

9

1819

19

16

10 10

21

8

2011

21

8

10

15

20

25

30

0

50

100

150

200

2006 2007 2008 2009

250

193

108 198 113 208 115 217 122

2010 2011

225 131 226 128

Student and school participation in regional finals 2006–2011

Students

Schools


28

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

2007 2008 2009 2010 2007 2008 2009 2010 2007 2008 2009 2010

Gender of all competing studentsAll finals 2007–2011

40.9% 60.6% 33.3% 33.8%

59.1% 39.4% 66.7% 66.2%

2011

35.8%

64.2%

26.1% 71.4%

73.9%

28.6%

43.3%

37.5%

56.7%

62.5%

2011

55%

45%

50.0%

50.0%

50.0%38.3%

28.6%

50.0% 61.7% 71.4%

2011

42%

57%

Regional finals Semifinals State final

Male Female

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Metropolitan/regional breakdown of competing studentsAll finals 2007–2011

38.4%

61.6%

34.1% 37.8% 28.9%

65.9%

62.2% 71.1%

34.8% 34.4%64.3% 30%

65.2%

35.7%

70% 65.6%

33.3%

66.7%

33.3%

66.7%

33.3% 28.6%

66.7% 71.4%

Regional finals Semifinals State final

MetropolitanRegional

27.4%

72.6%

27.6%

72.4%

0%

100%


29

Appendix E

Publicity

© VCAA 2011

VCAA BULLETINVCE, VCAL and VET

Regulations and information about curriculum and assessment for the VCE, VCAL and VET

Principal VCE/VCAL/VET Coordinators VCE/VCAL/VET Teachers

Victorian Certificate of Education Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning Vocational Education and Training

V I C T O R I A N C U R R I C U L U M A N D A S S E S S M E N T A U T H O R I T Y

This publication is also available online at

www.vcaa.vic.edu.au

No. 90 August 2011ISSN 1448-2363

CONTENTS

DATESImportant administrative dates 2

CEO’S COLUMNJohn Firth 3

VCEGENERAL ADVICEVCE Review and Implementation 4Student Records and Results 4Examinations 4

STUDY ADVICEClassical Studies 6Dance 7Latin 8

VET

GENERAL ADVICENew and redeveloped programs for 2012 8Changes to programs for 2012 8National VET information updates 8TAFE Development Centre (TDC) calendar 8Upcoming VET events 8Worldskills Australia 8

INDEXJune 2010 to July 2011 9

DISTRIBUTIONNotices and publications 10, 12

VCE ACHIEVERJames Smoley 11

Plain English Speaking Award State Final 2011

Another round of Plain English Speaking Award finals comes to an end in Victoria. This year 226 students aged between 15 and 18 years took part across the state. The culmination of all

the regional and semifinals was the Victorian State Final which took place on Thursday 30 June. The winner was Ellie Jamonts from Star of the Sea College. Her prepared speech topic was feminism and Ellie wittily addressed the fact that we still have a long way to go before we can truly say that sexism in our modern society no longer exists.

The State Final adjudicators were very impressed with all the speakers but agreed that Ian Collins from Eltham College of Education was the runner-up. Ian’s speech posed the question: Julian Assange – Terrorist? In it he argued that we should consider Assange as an editor in the media rather than a terrorist.

The other finalists were Allison Ballantyne (Woodleigh School), Christopher Davie-Smythe (St Bede’s College), Gemma Hallet (Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar School), Georgia Kay (Lauriston Girls’ School) and Julien Nithianandan (Melbourne High School).

The topic for the impromptu speech at the State Final was ‘Partners in crime’ and several of the speakers chose the current Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition as the subject for their three-minute speech. This is the most challenging aspect of the competition at all levels and the VCAA provides advice on its website (PESA pages) to students and teachers on how to practice for it. There is also a Plain English Speaking DVD which can be ordered at any time during the year. It is a valuable resource for all teachers of public speaking and English oral work.

The Australia-Britain Society once again generously supported the Plain English Speaking Award by providing the prizes – two trophies and seven book vouchers. They will also cover the cost of the winner to attend the National Final. This year that event will take place on Monday 15 August in Sydney, New South Wales. The proceedings will be streamed to a Telstra Centre in Melbourne (in the CBD) and any teacher who would like to bring a small group of students to this should contact the VCAA by emailing: [email protected]

The other PESA sponsor is Resources for Courses who produce a promotional poster at the start of the school year. They will do this again in 2012 when we hope to see even more young people getting involved in speaking up and speaking out.

Congratulations to all the 226 students who participated this year and also to their teachers who supported them. Good luck to Ellie Jamonts in Sydney.

Back row: Christopher Davie-Smythe (St Bede’s College), Georgina Kay (Lauriston Girls’ School), Julien Nithianandan (Melbourne High School), Gemma Hallett (Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar School).Front row: Allison Ballantyne (Woodleigh School), Ian Collins (Eltham College of Education), Ellie Jamonts (Star of the Sea College).

State finalist, Ellie Jamonts

VCAA Bulletin VCE, VCAL and VEt, no. 90 August 2011, page 1


30

Star - williamstown Altona Laverton, tuesday 12 July 2011, page 3

herald Sun, tuesday 19 July 2011, page 51


31

Leader – whitehorse, wednesday 22 June 2011, page 13

Leader – Progress, tuesday 14 June 2011, page ?


32

warrnambool Standard, wednesday 18 May 2011, page 4.

weekly – hobsons Bay, wednesday 6 July 2011, page 14.


3333

the Age, Monday 22 August 2011, page 14

Catholic Education office news, August 2011

herald Sun, tuesday 23 August 2011, page 57


34

National Winner from Victoria

Ellie Jamonts, Victoria’s state finalist in the 2011 Plain English Speaking Award won the national as well.

on Monday 15 August, at the telstra Experience Centre in Sydney, Ellie completed against the other winners from new South wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital territory, South Australia, the northern territory and western Australia. her prepared speech of eight minutes was a slightly longer version of the one she gave at the Victorian state final in June. She renamed the speech ‘Sexism in the third wave of Feminism’.

All the contestants were interviewed by Craig reucassel, one of the Chaser team; and they all gave an impromptu speech of three minutes on the topic ‘Coping with change’.

when the chief adjudicator (Peter hartcher, Political and International Editor at the Sydney Morning herald) wound up the proceedings, he said, “By this stage you speakers have all mastered the basic techniques of public speaking (pauses, gesture etc.) because you have won your state competition. You have demonstrated your intellect and your message; and a little humour doesn’t go astray.

“At this national level we expect to see brilliance, mastery of nerves, a strong message and intellectual coherence. the impromptus reveal a dimension that is wider than in the prepared. An all-round performance has all those attributes.”

Clearly this sums up Ellie Jamonts’s presentation at the national final. her prize is $8,000.00 donated by BBM Ltd. Ellie will use this to travel to England in May next year to participate in the International Public Speaking Competition coordinated by the English Speaking Union.

the national final of PESA was also generously sponsored by the Australia Britain Foundation who made possible the organisation of the event which includes a weekend of activities for the contestants prior to the competition.

In the nine years since the VCAA took on the coordination of the Victorian Plain English Speaking Award, we have had two runners-up; both from Brauer College in warrnambool. Julien du Vergier (2003) is completing a Masters degree in Law at oxford University and tom Ballard (2007) is already a well-respected stand-up comedian both in Australia and overseas.

A group of students from Star of the Sea College were able to watch a live-stream of Ellie and her fellow contestants speaking. they were at the Melbourne telstra Experience Centre and an image of them was projected on to the wall of the Sydney venue. we join them in wishing Ellie all the best for the international competition next year.

Article published in VCAA Bulletin VCE, VCAL and VEt, no. 91 September 2011

L to r: Ellie Jamonts, Peter hartcher. Photo: Andrew Lasky, nSw department of Education & Communities

Ellie Jamonts being interviewed by Craig reucassel from the Chaser. Photo: Andrew Lasky, nSw department of Education & Communities

VCAA Plain English Speaking Award Report · PDF fileImpromptu speech ... the 2011 Victorian...

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