Debating & Public Speaking

Rostrum Voice of Youth

Twenty Huntingtower students from Years 7 through to 12 participated in this year’s Rostrum Voice of Youth. Huntingtower hosted a region for the first time this year, which was hotly contested by almost a hundred other students from schools across the eastern region of Melbourne, against schools including Scotch College, St Kevin’s College, MLC, Loreto and Wesley. Despite some stiff competition our speakers achieved some outstanding results. 

Mia P (Year 9) won her junior division heat and went on to win the following semi-final, earning her a place in the State Final of the Voice of Youth Junior competition. We wish Mia all the best as she goes on to represent the easter metropolitan region in the final round of the Victorian competition! 

In a particularly outstanding display, all four of the senior division heats were won by Huntingtower students: Alexis F (Year 10), Tharul P (Year 10), Sophie L (Year 11) and Prisha R (Year 11). With an all-Huntingtower semi-final following, it’s not surprising to announce that both the winner and runner-up of the senior division were from Huntingtower. Congratulations to Prisha R who placed second, and Sophie L who won the senior finals, and we wish Sophie luck as she goes on now to contest the Voice of Youth Senior State Final.  

VCAA Plain English Speaking Awards

This year Prisha R (Year 11) and Chloe D (Year 12) represented Huntingtower in the VCAA Plain English Speaking Awards. The competition requires students to prepare a persuasive speech on a social issue, and an impromptu speech prepared at short notice, while using regular, plain English that will engage and be understood by their audience. Both Prisha and Chloe did an outstanding job. Despite facing a hotly contested regional round, Chloe won her region with a thought-provoking persuasive speech on the impact of language on eating disorders and an impromptu speech on following your dreams, securing her a place in the state semi-finals. 

Despite having to soldier on through illness, Chloe went on to represent Huntingtower at the semi-finals of the competition at the Education Department’s headquarters in Treasury Place and performed admirably despite trying circumstances. While she did not make it through to the final round, she did an excellent job and we remain very proud of her accomplishments. 

DAV Online Public Speaking

Congratulations to Amelia W (Year 7), Adhrit N (Year 7) and Tharul P (Year 11) who qualified for the DAV Junior and Senior Online Public Speaking Finals. A total of thirteen students participated in the various division of this year’s online competition, with some impressive results seen all around. Amelia, Adhrit and Tharul finished at the top of their divisions, earning them a place in a live online state final. We congratulate them all on an outstanding accomplishment!

Mr Matthew McDonald

Director of Student Communication and Engagement