Rostrum: Voice of Youth

On Sunday May 27, twelve of our students took part in the Rostrum: Voice of Youth Public Speaking Competition. The growing popularity of public speaking across the state has meant that the organisers have doubled the number of available entries in this competition, thereby giving even more of our students the opportunity to compete in both the Junior and Senior Divisions. Ika O’Halloran, Olivia Bogdan, Angela Yu, Ciara Jenkins, Lucy Bainbridge, Summer Balla-Kellet, Fleur Anstee and Jessica Yang represented the School in the Junior Division. In the Senior Division, we were represented by Kavina Kalaichelvam (2017 Finalist), Lucy Porter, Sophie Hogan, and Flynn O’Brien.

It gives me great pleasure to announce that Flynn O’Brien was Runner up in her Semi-Final Heat; should the winner of her Heat be unable to compete, Flynn will take her place in the Finals. Flynn took the topic, ‘Set the wheels in motion’, as her inspiration for exploring the suffocating and, ultimately, silencing effects of political correctness. Flynn argued compellingly that censoring free speech creates the conditions for charismatic, dangerous, and sometimes foolish, leaders to emerge. In the Semi-Final, she was also required to deliver an impromptu speech; her even and composed execution across both types of speeches made her a very deserving Runner up.

This competition required students to select from set topics as varied as ‘No joking matter’ and ‘When it’s gone, it’s gone’ to Senior topics such as ‘A home for every child’, ‘Set the wheels in motion’ and ‘Myths and misunderstandings’. Students are invited to present unique perspectives on the topics offered, and our students challenged themselves by avoiding banality or predictable content in their speech writing. Several of our Junior students were thanked by adjudicators for presenting interesting and thought-provoking content.

In the Senior Division, the requirement of an eight minute prepared speech challenged students to sustain the audience’s interest by using well-developed and substantial content, as well as employing pace, tone, and pauses effectively in their speeches.

In all public speaking competitions, students learn a great deal from observing other entrants who hone their skills year after year. As coach of the Junior Division, Ms Reggars’ advice is invaluable to students, and we thank her for her and the Senior student mentors for their dedication and commitment to ensuring that students were well prepared for this competition.

Mrs Mary-Anne Keratiotis
Coordinator of Debating and Public Speaking