PUBLIC SPEAKING

“When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” 

Malala said this during her remarkable and passionate speech while receiving her Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 17. 

While she may not have had the students of SJPC in mind at the time, she can still teach them the valuable lessons:

• They have the right to free speech
• They have the right to be heard
• They must have something worthwhile to say

The students from the SJPC Public Speaking group have learned this lesson well and have created inspiring speeches about topics that they are passionate about.

The Year 7-9 students compete in the national Legacy Junior Public Speaking Competition with a five-minute prepared speech and a two-minute impromptu speech. The Year 10-12 students compete in the International Plain English Speaking Competition with an eight-minute prepared speech and a three-minute impromptu speech.

Throughout the competition, students gain confidence and learn invaluable life-long skills that will help them in their future career or leadership positions.

In 2019 SJPC produced a regional winner in the Junior Division.

The student meet fortnightly under the guidance of English staff. Once the public speaking competition has finished, the students are encouraged to use those same skills in Debating.