Speaking Up, Speaking Out

Girls are encouraged to find their voice and develop their confidence from the earliest years, with public speaking opportunities for all.

Every other year, all pupils in Year 3 to Year 6 take part in an inter-house public speaking competition to encourage them to speak out about a topic they are passionate about. Each girl represents her house and is tasked to speak for two minutes in front of her classmates. This year’s entries included ‘plastic bags vs paper bags’, whether pupils should have homework or wear uniform, and ‘monopoly vs chess’. The first rounds and semi-finals took place over a number of weeks, culminating in the grand finals in the hall last Friday.

The finalists from Year 3 & 4 – Georgie, Ellie, Zara and Sylvia – delivered accomplished speeches, with Georgie scooping the top prize for Bronte, with her compelling discussion about whether pets should be bought from breeders or animal shelters. In the Year 5 & 6 final, Elise, Amelia, Lara and Ada displayed great oracy skills; Ada, representing Pavlova, won this year’s final with her views on whether children should learn a different language.

Well done to all the girls for their incredible poise, projection and powers of persuasion.