2023 Public Speaking Finalists

Congratulations to all the students for all the effort they have put into preparing their speeches for the Public Speaking competition. All the students presented their chosen topics in class and a few students were selected to go to the next round, presenting their prepared speeches at the stage competition level.

On Monday, Stage 2 finalists from each class competed for a place in the finals evening. It was a tough competition with some very convincing and persuasive topics chosen. It was clear that the students had worked extremely hard at perfecting their arguments and maintaining eye contact with their audience.

After the prepared speeches, the students were given time to prepare an impromptu speech on the topic of 'Technology'.

Congratulations to the following Stage 2 students chosen to progress to the next stage of the competition at the PPS Grand final evening on the 11th October (Week 1, Term 4).

On Tuesday, Kindergarten were the next stage to compete. Students from each class came along to present their prepared speech. At this competition, the finalist is selected to present their prepared speech at the finals evening as a practice for the Network finals in Week 2, Term 4.

Congratulations to Larry Yuan from KS who presented a very persuasive speech on 'Clouds'. We also chose a highly commended speaker who did an incredible job presenting their speech. This person was Ethan Liu from KS who presented a persuasive speech on 'Dogs'.

Wednesday was a big day of speeches. We started the day off with listening to Stage 3 present their speeches. After the prepared speeches, the students were given time to create an impromptu speech on the topic, 'Wishful thinking'. They did an excellent job to persuade the audience on this topic. Congratulations to the following finalists: Willow Parry, Sophie Choker, Henry Taylor, Thomas Wang, Sean Zhang and Audrey Wyllie. We look forward to seeing these students present their prepared speeches in the School Finals Night at the beginning of next term, to determine out Stage 3 Finals Champions. The winner will then be heading to the Network Grand Final in Week 2 of Term 4.

Stage 1 presented a challenge to the adjudicators to decide the finalists to go through to the next round. After the prepared speeches, the students were given time to create an impromptu speech on the topic, 'Class Excursions'. They did an amazing job to persuade the audience to go on an excursion. Congratulations to Harper Choker from 2ZM who presented a very persuasive speech on 'Why School is Outdated'. It was very interesting to listen to. We also chose a highly commended speaker who did an excellent job presenting their speech. This person was Alessia Georgaris from 1/2A who presented a persuasive speech on 'Everyone should Play a Sport'.

The school finals evening will be held in Term 4, Wednesday the 11th of October. All finalists that reach the next level will have received a note with information from Mrs Kerasis. Also, a big thank you to our wonderful adjudicators, Mrs Parsons-Tran, Mrs Schafer and Mrs Jones, for helping to adjudicate all the wonderful speeches.

WriteOn Gold Award

Congratulations to Hillary Y who was awarded a Gold in this year's WriteOn Competition.

The annual WriteOn competition gives students the opportunity to become published authors and show their creativity. The winning gold, silver and bronze pieces of writing have been collated and are published each year.

The competition is for students in Years 1 to 6 in NSW, including home school students. Students compose an imaginative text of up to 500 words, using an image as the stimulus. Schools submit work to the competition on behalf of their students.

The image below was the stimulus given to the students to write about.

The following is Hillary's winning writing.

Desert Dreaming

They feel the fury of the scorching sun,

On their sweltering journey - just begun,

Parching their skin at every turn,

As Nature's wrath blisters and burns.

They dream of a cool, whispering breeze

And the soothing pulsation of cerulean seas

The sliding waves, the gentle hush-

Soft as the caress of a loving touch.

They see a barren stretch of sand,

Sweeping out over the drought-stricken land,

Below grey clouds that jest from on high,

As they roam the cracked earth -dusty and dry.

They dream of green gardens -resplendent and lush,

And the bright crimson flare of a red bottlebrush.

Emerald ferns dancing with flourishing fronds,

And floating white lilies on crystal-clear ponds.

They hear the harrowed wind, wailing and whistling And the spiteful spit of sandstorms, howling and hissing.

The wearied camels labour and grunt in despair,

Groaning and bellowing beneath the sun's glare.

They dream of a song, melodious and sweet

And rings of laughter rising above the heat

The twittering song of a grasswren in flight

And the magpie's rich warble- so shrill and so bright.

They thirst for sweet water, running down their seared throat,

Reviving them under their woolly tan coat,

They search in the wilderness for a bubbling spring

For the blessings and bliss an oasis will bring.

They dream of cool rain -cascading from clouds,

Invigorating the earth as it patters so loud,

For the rush of pure water from rippling rivers,

And the kiss of relief that the heaven delivers.

They dream as the breaking dawn lights up the skies

Till the shimmering stars from their slumber arise,

They dream with an eternal will to survive,

For each glimmer of hope that keeps them alive.

Hillary was presented her certificate at a presentation at the State Library of NSW last Friday. Dr Paul Cahill, Executive Director of Curriculum Reform , NESA acknowledged Hillary's achievement of two gold and one silver award, in his opening address. Mrs Wilson, Mrs Dalton and Mrs Whitfield joined Hillary and her parents at this very special ceremony.

Hillary was also mentioned in an article in the St George Leader among other local students who had success at the WriteOn awards.

https://www.theleader.com.au/story/8353186/students-rewarded-for-their-creativity-and-imagination/?cs=1507

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