5/6JJ Learning - 

Ms Jai & Ms Jenny

Finding Our Voice: Year 5 & 6 Speak with Power!

This May, our Year 5 and 6 students are discovering something truly powerful—their voices. Thanks to Ron Thomas and his dynamic Speak with Power program, students are learning the art and impact of public speaking. And it’s not just about standing up and talking. It’s about connecting, leading, and making words matter.

Over six energising sessions, Ron is guiding each class through the essential skills of formal speech-making. He began by unpacking the structure of a great speech and then challenged students to think deeply: What do you care about? What do you want to say? Ron encourages every student to choose a topic that means something to them. Speaking from the heart, he explained, brings out energy and emotion—two ingredients that make a speech not only engaging but unforgettable.

There’s more to public speaking than words. Ron is coaching students on delivery too—expression, volume, pace, and even the well-timed use of humour. A little joke, he says, can go a long way.

The response from students has been inspiring. 

Speak with power was really fun. I wasn't expecting it to be this much fun and the teacher Ron Thomas was very engaging and active. Aris

I enjoyed this because we were all given roles and I enjoyed listening to other people speak and having a chance to speak too. Maya

Ron is very funny and even though he is  strict he tries to give everyone a go in his lessons. He brings joy to the room. Lucy

I enjoyed that we had the chance to get better at public speaking and get feedback from our peers. We had so much fun. Angus

Public speaking isn’t just a school skill—it’s a life skill. Whether it's for the classroom, a social event, or one day in the workplace, these students are learning to speak with clarity, purpose and power. And most importantly, they're learning to be heard.

With more sessions to come, excitement is building. We can’t wait to hear what these young speakers have to say next!