At the 2018 A.B. Paterson Public Speaking Competition, Somerset College Junior School took out the ‘Winning School’ trophy. This was an amazing achievement and the third time in a row that we have attained such success.
Public Speaking is such an important skill. It is developed and encouraged through a student’s Somerset College years. Students present a speech every year as part of the College curriculum. Then, in early September, over a hundred Junior School students in Year 4 to Year 6 participated in the Somerset Public Speaking Competition. There were many outstanding moments as students overcame nerves to present in front of adults and other students; as teachers witnessed the growth in a student they had previously taught and were now adjudicating; as students who had ‘braved the conditions’ to move out of their comfort zone, felt the warm response of an appreciative audience. Forty-five students were selected to then present their speech at the A.B. Paterson Competition. The Year 4 students present once only and represented our school with pride.
The Year 5 and 6 students presented in heats and then, if successful, moved to finals and then a Grand final at each year level. Of course, we realise that adjudication can be a subject of discussion, however, all of our students spoke very well. At A.B. Paterson, they were in a competition involving schools from all over the Gold Coast, the Hinterland and northern NSW.
Somerset had three students in both the Year 5 and 6 Grand Finals – an extraordinary result. Ayla Chirathivat-Geralds and Emily Nickels took out first and second places respectively in Year 5 and Anna Thomas won the Year 6 Grand Final. Both Finals were tight!
We are very proud of every student who entertained their audience while speaking, at whatever level. We hope that their experiences generate growth and a love of presenting. Well done Somerset!
Grand Final Placing
Benji Liu
Second in Year 5
Emily Nickels
First in Year 5
Ayla Chirathivat-Geralds
Grand Final Placing
Sienna Briggs
Wei-Wei Shen
First in Year 6
Anna Thomas
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