The Power of Speech

Posted on: 09/02/2023

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Winners and runners up in the 8s-9s Public Speaking Competition above with Prep competition organiser Rebecca Edge

Harrodians are known for their articulacy and confidence. Our annual Public Speaking Competition provides the perfect opportunity for pupils in our 8s to 13s to live up to the billing.

In all the years of our Public Speaking Competition, no pupil has ever suffered a case of severe stage fright and refused to take part. On the contrary, most of them relish the opportunity to openly share their ideas and thoughts on a topic they feel passionately about, as one of our runners-up in the 9s explains, ‘I love the public speaking competition because it gives me the chance to research a subject that I really care about and that I might not normally have the chance to learn about or discuss at school.’ 

public speaking winner

I love the public speaking competition because it gives me the chance to research a subject that I really care about and that I might not normally have the chance to learn about or discuss at school.

9s/Year 5 pupil and Public Speaking participant

The English department is always wowed by the effort, diligence and linguistic talents of our pupils, but never is this more true than for the annual Public Speaking competition. This year, each and every one of them shone in their own way, from the way they delivered the speeches, to the crafting of the language and inclusion of wonderful humour. The finals had their audiences smiling, laughing, agreeing and disagreeing; everything that competent, thought-provoking, public speaking should do. 'We are incredibly proud of our pupils... January is not a month many people look forward to, but for us it is a delight because we get to hear our pupils speaking passionately and articulately about things that are really important to them,' enthuses Ms Carina Makris, English teacher.

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We are incredibly proud of our pupils... January is not a month many people look forward to, but for us it is a delight because we get to hear our pupils speaking passionately and articulately about things that are really important to them.

Ms Carina Makris, English teacher

Public speaking is a key part of the English curriculum for our 8s to 13s pupils and a Spoken Language Endorsement, is also now a required component of GCSE English Language that our 13s pupils have to prepare for.  There are good reasons for this according to Harrodian Head of English, Ms Lucy Thomas. 'We feel it is important to teach not just reading and writing but spoken communication as well,' she says. 'Being able to express yourself articulately is a fundamental life skill that needs to be nurtured throughout a child's education.’ 

We feel it is important to teach not just reading and writing but spoken communication as well - being able to express yourself articulately is a fundamental life skill that needs to be nurtured throughout a child's education.

Lucy Thomas, Head of English

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Ms Beccy Edge (8s Form Teacher and Key Stage 2 English Co-ordinator) is also keen to point out the value of teaching public speaking skills at an early age.  'One of the amazing things about the Public Speaking Competition is that we start preparing the children from the 8s,' she says.  'This ensures that all the children have the opportunity and time to develop into confident, expressive individuals; qualities that lie at the heart of our school ethos.'

One of the amazing things about the Public Speaking Competition is that we start preparing the children from the 8s. This ensures that all the children have the opportunity and time to develop into confident, expressive individuals.

Rebecca Edge, Lower Prep English Co-ordinator and 8s Form Teacher

winning group

As in previous years, every pupil in the 8s to 13s delivered speeches to their class and in turn listened to those of their peers. They then had to choose the best speaker to be their class representative in the competition. Once chosen, our finalists spoke onstage in front of an expert judging panel, as well as two entire year groups. The finalists’ passion for their subject really came across and the way in which they responded to unexpected questions from the audience with such clarity was equally impressive.

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All the talks were of such high standard and covered a broad and creative range of topics. Some tackled big issues like abortion, gender stereotypes and inequality, miscarriage, drugs, diversity and identity crises whilst others talked about subjects more personal to them, like a love of the country Chile, the benefits of being a twin, how to solve a rubix cube or why Taylor Swift is a role model.

I was so impressed with the diversity and variety of interests shared by the children in their speeches and the knowledge and expertise of the judges (from radio, tech, film and football) was also incredibly valuable and inspirational for them.

Rebecca Edge, Lower Prep English Co-ordinator and 8s Form Teacher

On the judging panel a combination of industry experts, Harrodian parents, Sixth Formers and staff / former staff, all with extensive public speaking experience, had the formidable task of choosing a winner and runners up in each of the three age group categories. We would like to thank them all for giving up their time to judge the competitions and for offering their constructive and valuable feedback. 

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One of our judges, who returns year after year, is Sir Andrew Parmley, former Lord Mayor of London and Principal of Harrodian Senior School. He is full of praise for this year's participants when he says, 'the speakers were the best we have had yet, the standard was incredibly high this year.' Former Head of Admin and PA to Mr Hooke Bronwen Lewis, was delighted to be invited to be a judge and greatly enjoyed the experience too. 'I was so impressed by how passionate all the Harrodian speakers were on their topics and how well they had done their research. Each speech was thought-provoking and captivating - it was very inspirational!'

The speakers were the best we have had yet, the standard was incredibly high this year

Sir Andrew Parmley, former Lord Mayor of London and Harrodian Senior School Principal - Public Speaking Competition Judge

I was so impressed by how passionate all the Harrodian speakers were on their topics and how well they had done their research. Each speech was thought-provoking and captivating.

Former Head of Admin and PA to Mr Hooke, Bronwen Lewis - Public Speaking Competition Judge


And now to announce our awarded winners and runners up, they were:

8s and 9s (Year 4/5)

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Winner:

  • Florence (9JSA) - Why we should respect people with autism

Highly Commended: 

  • Izzy (9KFI) - Why girls and boys should have the same rights

Commended:

  • Paloma (8REG) - Chile and her love of the country

 

    10s and 11s (Year 6/7)

    10s11swinners

      Winner:

      • Raffi (11LCH) - Why everyone should stop complaining

      Runner Up:

      • Alyssa (11LCH) - Abortion and why it should be legal 

      Highly Commended:

      • Leo (11DDE) - Rock Music is the best genre of music

       

      12s and 13s (Year 8/9)

      12s13swinners

      Winner:

      • Thomas (13CNA) - An apple a day does keep the doctor away

      Runner Up: 

      • Lucy (12EGR) - Children should learn makaton (a form of sign language for the deaf) at school

      Highly Commended:

      • Ata (12ABA) - Rugby players should be paid more

      • Emily (13LWH) - Introverts should not be underestimated

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