Public Speaking Competition Final 2014

Public Speaking Competition Final 2014 Tamara McKenna, Head of English and EAL Departments gives us the low down on this years public speaking competition. Expectations, the cult of celebrity, the power of chocolate, and a critique of our educational system, were just some of the topics that were passionately explored during the Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 finals of our second annual Regents public speaking competition.

The standard was impressive as all of our finalists delivered well-rehearsed performances that spoke from the heart.

Congratulations to 2014’s finalists: Jack (Year 7), Brandon (Year 8), Charu (Year 9), Milly (Year 9), Osman (Year 10), Cati (Year 11), Gigi (Year 11) and Kyi (Year 11).

The judges were looking for the key ingredients of a high quality speech: persuasive argument, logical structure and convincing research.  But as Mr Blaikie reminded us, it’s not always what you say, it’s how you say it. The audience has to believe in the speaker’s conviction.  Mr Blaikie (Principal), Mr Russell (Head of Secondary), Mrs Neylon (Head of Year 11) and Mrs Garnett-Spear (Art Teacher) had the difficult task of choosing the winners. The Key Stage 3 prize was awarded to Jack (Year 7) and the Key Stage 4 prize was awarded to Kyi (Year 11).

Real-life scenarios enabled Jack to attack the failings of McDonald’s. Kyi’s powerful imagery made us consider the responsibility we have to the Earth every time we make use of yet another plastic bag.

Congratulations to all of our finalists, who were brave enough to take to the stage, and to all the participants in Years 7 to 11, who have helped to make this such a successful competition.