Impromptu Cup Report

The Impromptu Cup is over for another year, and proved to be a challenging and enjoyable tournament for all involved. Held on Saturday 19th September at the University of Auckland Engineering School, the Impromptu Cup brought 24 ASD teams together to try out a new style of debating (impromptu style, with just five minutes’

preparation time preceding 4‐6 minute speeches!) over the course of four rounds, followed by two semi‐finals and a final.

The university adjudication core who judged the debates were very impressed with the standard of debating, as students debated issues as diverse as allowing gays in the military, sanctions on North Korea, and giving prisoners the right to vote. The four illustrious teams that made it through to the semi‐finals were St Kents, Kristin, Auckland Grammar and EGGS. These teams did very well to edge out a number of other teams who had debated well during the day. St Kents proceeded through to the final in a 2‐1 split decision against EGGS in a debate about introducing separate Maori Prisons. Meanwhile, Kristin won their semi‐final against Grammar again in a 2‐1 split decision, in a debate about open entry university for Maori school leavers. This left the final to be contested between St Kents and Kristin. Ultimately St Kents prevailed in a 4‐1 decision, affirming the motion, “This House supports civil disobedience to raise awareness about environmental issues”. St Kents were awarded the title of 2009 winners of the Impromptu Cup.

In addition to team awards, a number of individual speaker prizes were given out in recognition of top quality individual performances at the Impromptu Cup. Highly Commended awards were given to Sally Wu of EGGS, Megan Dickie of Diocesan, Blake Stuart of St Kents, and Scott Ashby of Kristin. An Impromptu Cup tournament team was named, which represented Auckland’s top impromptu debaters. The reserve for this team was Hamish Saunders of Grammar. The team consisted of Asher Emanuel from St Kents and Josh Baxter from Grammar. Asher Emanuel was also named Best Speaker of the tournament.

Thank you very much to all teams who came along for the day, the Committee and adjudicators thoroughly enjoyed it. Gretta Schumacher proved to be a reliable and ever helpful convenor, and Desley Horton (ASD Chairperson) was invaluable in looking after the draws for each round and selecting for the awards.

Well done all, and we look forward to seeing you again next year!

Congratulations

ASD would like to congratulate the following teams on their success in the ASD competition as winners of their respective grades!

Junior Open Kings
Senior Open St Cuthberts 4
Advanced Open Mt Albert Grammar School
Premier Junior Kings
Premier Advanced Diocesan

15 September: Impromptu Cup Information

The provisional timetable for the Impromptu Cup competition was sent out by email last week, as well as the rules for the competition. Please distribute the rules to the students who will be debating, so that they can familiarise themselves with the workings of Impromptu-style debating. Even if students have had experience with limited preparation debates during the course of ASD, they should still read the rules, as Impromptu-style debating is quite different.

Moots will be on a variety of topics across the four rounds, semis and finals, and teams should aim to prepare by keeping up to date with current affairs and topical issues, just as they have no doubt been doing over the course of the year (or not, as the case may be!). They will be in a similar style to those used in the premier advanced grade of ASD.

Teachers, parents and other interested people are more than welcome to come and watch the debates during the day. The beauty of impromptu debating with 5 minutes preparation is that there is not much 'hanging around' while teams prepare! Students and coaches should be prepared to make their own arrangements for lunch. There are a variety of fast food outlets within short walking distance. ASD will be providing afternoon tea.

We would ask that all coaches arrive at 8:30am on Saturday 19th September in Lecture Theatre 1.439 of the University of Auckland Engineering School for a roll call and adjudication briefing. Please see the attached map for the location of the Engineering School and parking details. Parking at the University Business School underground carpark is $5 for the entire day, and is a short walk from the Engineering school.

Feel free to get in touch with the Committee if you have any further questions.

• The map can be downloaded here.
• The timetable can be downloaded here.
• The rules can be downloaded here.

Grand Final Details For All Grades

Hi all,

First, we would like to congratulate Diocesan for winning the Advanced Premier grade for 2009 earlier this week!

All other finals are still to come and all are welcome to attend. Locations for each debate are listed below. This post will be updated with more specific details as they come to hand.

Advanced Open (Tuesday 8th September at 6:30pm) will be held at Westlake Girls Grammar

The debate will take place in the I-M room, next to H block english classrooms. Just a reminder that people need to park in the carpark with the lights outside it (not the other one.) There may be a few other cars around because there is a Parents Night for the Year 10s. There will be people around that can help usher people.

Junior Premier (Wednesday 9th September at 6:3opm) will be held at Auckland Boys Grammar:

The debate will be held in the Old Boys Pavilion and there is car-parking outside. There is a map of the school available here.

Junior Open (Monday 14th September at 6:30pm) will be held at Kings College.

Senior Open (Tuesday 15th September at 6:30pm) will be held at St Cuthberts College.

Premier Advanced Final

The premier advanced final will be held tonight at Auckland Grammar School in the Old Boys Pavillion (map here).

The topic will be announced at 5:30 with the debate starting at 6:30pm.

Semi Finals This Weekend

The ASD Grades have now reached the semi-final stage! This Saturday, 22nd August, semi finals for the following grades will be held at the University of Auckland Law School:

Premier Advanced: Moot announced at 8.30am, debate at 9.30am
Advanced Open: Moot announced at 10am, debate at 11am
Premier Junior: Moot announced at 12.30pm, debate at 1.30pm
Senior Open: Moot announced at 2pm, debate at 3pm

All teams are encouraged to be on time for the moot announcement which will take place in Algie Lecture Theatre. Debates will take place in the Stone and Northey Lecture Theatres.Parents, coaches, supporters and friends are welcome to attend debates throughout the day!

Octo Final Venue Change

Hi ,

Due to frustrations at the University of Auckland and the availability of rooms at Grammar, Tuesday's Advanced Open Octo-Finals will take place at Auckland Grammar at 8pm with topic announcement at 7pm.

The Senior Open Octo Finals will also take place at Grammar, topic being announced at 5:30pm.

This is true regardless of incorrect information in some places on the website. Sadly our original location became unavailable and Grammar has kindly stepped in. I apologize for the confusion - I can assure you it is even more frustrating and inconvenient on my end.

Debates will be held in the English Block. The English Block is accessed through Gate 3 on Mountain Road. Go directly ahead past the Specialist Block and turn right in front of the gymnasium, Go down a slope to a small quadrangle. The English block is the two-storey building on the left, facing the main school building. Once you're there meet in E1 to receive rooms and topic announcements.

Regards,

Brad