Speech competition
Details of the Chinese Bridge Speech Competition organised at international, national and regional levels.
Communication through arts and culture is one of the Institute's core philosophies. By co-organsing the ‘Chinese Bridge’ Speech Competitions in New Zealand, the Institute aims to promote and enhance a greater understanding and appreciation of Chinese language and culture amongst New Zealanders. In May 2011, we hosted both the Wellington regional competition and the national competition. Nathalie Harrington, a VUW student won the prestigious First Prize in the 2011 International Speech Competition.
2012 Chinese Bridge Speech Competition
The Chinese Bridge Speech Competition is organised at three levels, i.e. at international level in China on 11th July 2012, at national level on 26th May 2012 in Christchurch and at regional level, hosted by the three New Zealand Confucius Institutes in May 2012.
Regional Competition - Wellington
This year's edition of the Wellington Regional Speech Competition proved to be a great success with another great crop of talent. Competing in three categories (secondary , intermedaite and tertiary category), students showcased their knowledge of Chinese language and culture through lively performances and supporting props.
Whilst the judges were given time to assess the students' performances, Martial Arts teacher Meng Fanxiao gave a Kong Fu demonstration and ballet teacher Liu Yang provided more infomration on the Chinese ballet class she is currently teaching. Before annoucing the results, music band OrientXpress played a number of popular Chinese songs combined with western Jazz.
The Institute was honoured with the presence of Mr Zhao Lei, Third Secretary of the Chinese Embassy, who praised the students' effort and knowledge of Chinese. Mr Tony Browne, Chairman of the Confucius Institute at VUW encouraged them to further develop their language skills. The top winners within each category made their way to the National Competition which was held by the by the Christchurch Confucius Institute on 26th May 2012.
Representing the Secondary Student Category were Lee Il Hwan Jonathan (First Prize - Rotorua Boys' High School), Scully Morgan (Second Prize - Wellington College) and Spring Lauren (Second Prize - Samuel Marsden Collegiate).
The Intermediate Student Category was represented by De Boer Anna (Frist Prize - Samuel Marsden Collegiate), Sivanantham Sarsha (Second Prize - Samuel Marsden Collegiate) and Lee Sangkyu (Second Prize - Rotorua Boys' High School).
NG Kristen (Frist Prize) and Asher Stadlin-Robbie (Second Prize), both VUW students represented the Tertiary Student Category.
National Competition - Christchurch
The top prize winners from the Regional Speech Competition were given the opportunity to travel to Christchurch to compete in the National Chinese Bridge Speech competition. 25 New Zealand students were selected to demonstrate their knowledge of Chinese language and culture, hoping for a place in the International Final. Finalists of the regional competition included VUW students Kristen Ng and Asher Stadlin-Robbie. Chinese language experts assessed the students' performances and awarded the top 2 students within each category a place in the prestigious International Final which will be held in China on 11th July 2012. Amongst the national top prize winners was Victoria University student Asher Stadlin-Robbie who won the First Prize award in the tertiary category. The students who will represent New Zealand in the International Chinese Bridge Speech competition in China are:
- Intermediate category: Tae Hyouk Kim (Lynfield College Auckland) and Hayley Ibold (ACG Parnell College Auckland) (both First Prize Winners);
- Secondary category: Chaeri Yoon (Auckland International College) and David Tuipulotu (Mt Albert Grammar School Auckland) (both First Prize Winners);
- Tertiary category: Annelise Posthuma (Top Prize - Canterbury University) and Asher Stadlin-Robbie (First Prize - Victoria University Wellington).
Congratulations to all students!