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 members 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

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.
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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 members 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 panel of 3 or 5 judges.

Decisions

A panel 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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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 members 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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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 panel 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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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

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

A panel 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 panel 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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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 speakers 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 speakers remarks accurate, relevant, interesting and lucid?
o Does the speaker use clear, correct, simple and fluent speech?
o Does the speakers 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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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.

The competition is divided into two sections:

Section 1 : Prepared - any story
Section 2 : Impromptu

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

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

A panel 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 panel 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.