Whether a performer, an orator or someone who has never dabbled in Public Speaking before, I cannot commend House Public Speaking enough, as an opportunity.

To be given the chance to address a group of people for five uninterrupted minutes is a privilege some are never granted in their whole lives.  

I love public speaking as, essentially, an expression of voice. I love learning something new. I love having the opportunity to teach others. Public Speaking gives me a platform where I can form communications, influence decisions, and motivate change.  

Without plunging myself into the Public Speaking Program at St Catherine’s in Year 9, I can confidently say I would not be the person I am today. I think the importance of Public Speaking as an instigator of change, both within ourselves and the community, is an immeasurable gift. 

While an interschool Public Speaking Competition, such as the DAV (Debaters Association of Victoria) or Legacy Junior Public Speaking Award, can initially be a bit daunting (though progressively less so with experience), House Public Speaking facilitates a forum wherein you are surrounded by those who unconditionally support you, and are interested in what you have to say.  

House Public Speaking is a chance to showcase your skills in an intellectual area to your peers. It brings forth something you feel needs to be said and heard. As a Year 12 student who will be moving beyond the Heyington Gates in a few months, I can confidently say that a favourite memory of mine has been my experiences in House Public Speaking that have developed my voice to this very day.  

While my experience in St Catherine’s Public Speaking Program is nearing their end, I have called to some whose experiences within the Program are just beginning, to inspire you to embark on your first, second or hundredth Public Speaking experience in House Public Speaking. 

Harper Roberts, a Year 8 student and avid public speaker, recently achieved an outstanding result in the Rostrum: Voice of Youth Competition. Harper was awarded Runner Up in the Regional Competition. Public speaking “allows [Harper] to embrace [her] natural confidence and feel heard,” an overwhelmingly positive experience that was solidified after the honour of being called to advance beyond the preliminary round of the Rostrum Competition, an experience which left Harper “shocked and delighted.” Beyond this, Harper recognises the benefits of Public Speaking to be infinite and endorses House Public Speaking as a great opportunity to “practise in a less stressful environment (not that other competitions need to be stressful!).”  

Minnie Chen is another keen Public Speaker from Year 8 who was a State Finalist in the Rostrum: Voice of Youth Competition. Public Speaking helped Minnie come out of her shell and build confidence over the years. According to Minnie the exchange of ideas is the most important component of Public Speaking, to develop the skills to speak to people with confidence and learn from others through their experiences. Minnie is reminded of how far she has come in her skills and confidence every time she speaks publicly, which I think is a universal experience amongst Public Speakers, an activity where every one of us started at square one but had to ‘fake it till we made it.’ 

Between both of our Year 8 Public Speaking guns, and a sentiment shared by me, there is a potent love for all things House Public Speaking. Harper encourages trying the House Competition because it is all about the experience and having fun, and “no-one will mind if you stutter or make a mistake” if you “just give it a shot.” Minnie shares this opinion, and her advice is to relax, and, if confronted with a difficult topic, to brainstorm what things mean, where they could lead you and to have some conversations with yourself. Minnie believes “you can’t mess up a speech, you’re just telling people what you think.” 

So, after hearing from both Minnie and Harper, and their experiences in the House Public Speaking sector being the same as my own, I cannot echo their statements enough in endorsing your participation in House Public Speaking.  

I only competed in my first House Competition in Years 9 or 10, and I wish I had started sooner, but it is never too late. I hope you find the same joy in Public Speaking that I have found and remember that there is never anything to lose by trying something new.  

Good luck for House Public Speaking in 2022 and beyond! Whoever competes I know you will give it your best.