Welcome to another year of debating with the Wellington Speaking Union. We are excited for 2014, and hope that you and your students will have a great time across our various competitions.

Your school is warmly invited to enter teams in the 2014 Wellington Speaking Union intercollegiate debating grades. Below is an invitation letter that explains how the grades operate, and how to enter teams.WSU-Invitation-Letter-2014

As per previous years, your school may enter one team in the Senior Premier A grade, one team in the Senior Premier B grade, one team in the Junior Premier grade, three teams in the Senior Certificate grade, and five teams in the Junior Certificate grade. As with last year, the entry form is to be filled out online, and is available at www.wsu.co.nz/signups.

Please note that it is very important to include correct email addresses for all adjudicators and coaches, as this is the primary method of communication. Please fill out the form by Friday 14 February. You will be sent an invoice for the fees later.

Before Friday 21 February you will be emailed a finalised calendar of events (draft copy only enclosed), letters from grade convenors for coaches (including their contact details), draws and topics, and a spreadsheet containing the contact details for every team in every grade, convenors at each school, and a list of adjudicators. This information will be sent electronically to you as the convenor of debating at your school. Draws and letters will also be sent electronically to every team coach. The topics for round one will be enclosed with the grade letters and posted on the website. Here is a draft of the 2014 calendar, which can also be found here    Wellington Speaking Union Calendar – DRAFT 

Key Dates

·         Entries Close: Friday 14 February

·         Draws released: Friday 21  February

·         First rounds begin in the week starting Monday 3 March