FAQ

• Q: How do I log on as school debating coordinator?

  A:

  1. Go to the web site http://www.ada.org.nz/school/
  2. Choose your school from one of the pull-down lists and click on the "Choose your school" button
  3. Under the name of your school on the right-hand column on the screen you will see a link labelled: Logon as school debating coordinator - click on it.
  4. The screen will then refresh and at the bottom of the screen (you may need to scroll down to see it) is the heading Debating Coordinator Logon. Enter your debating coordinator password in the box and click on the Logon button
  5. The screen will now refresh and you are now logged on as the debating coordintor for your chosen school. On the right-hand column on the screen, you will now see the option Logoff as school debating coordinator with sub-options only available to the debating coordinator listed underneath.
  6. If you have any problems with these steps, please let me know which step fails and what happens instead of what is described.

• Q: Can we hold our debates later than the deadline?

  A: Yes for the first three rounds, provided both teams agree. But we must have all outstanding results for the first four rounds in by 21 June so we can select the octo-finalists and notify them before the end of term II. If both teams realise they are not in contention for the octo-finals, their debate can be held after 21 June and we'll record the result when we receive it.

• Q: Because of rolling stikes, NCEA assessments,Open Day and Holy Thursday liturgies, we are having trouble fitting in all our debates this week... we're trying. If our opponents are willing can we hold debates first day back next term ?? ( Other schools have similar difficulties this week.) Would appreciate your advice..

  A: I understand the situation. I have no great advice to offer. I don't think there are easy answers. My comments:

  1. You can always postpone debates with the consent of both teams. I do need all round 4 debate results in by 21 June, for determining which teams go through to the octo-finals.
  2. If you decide to defer an advanced level debate, you MUST let the ADA know you won't be using the designated venue and assigned adjudicator and should be prepared to find your own adjudicator.
  3. If you want an adjudicator for a rescheduled advanced level debate you can ask (with as much notice as you can give), telling us the date, time and venue. But we cannot guarantee to be able to provide an adjudicator.
  4. If you want to postpone a debate, and you believe your opponents are being unreasonable in refusing, please contact the ADA to discuss the situation. Start off with explaing what you have tried and why.
  5. Advice: Don't agree to postpone a debate until you have agreed on an alternative date and time and venue. Otherwise you will probably find that the debate will never happen.
  6. Advice: Put everything in writing. If you agree on the phone, follow up with a fax confirming what was agreed on the phone.
  7. Suggestion: Teachers don't have to be present at every debate. Advanced debaters can often get to a debate under their own steam. Rope in parents. Use advanced level debaters to shepherd junior and senior teams (it will improve the advanced debaters' skills). If a team is keen, they will do what they can to get the debate under way. Explain the situation to them.

  Other idea are welcomed.

• Q: Does a win by default score the same as a win?

  A: Yes

• Q: Who is responsible for notifying the ADA of a result?

  A: The winning team.

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