Public Speaking and Debating

Public Speaking and Debating

Public Speaking and Debating are skills that can be incorporated anywhere in life, and are often an entry way to potential leadership positions in schools and our community. At Beaufort Secondary College we cultivate an environment in which our students have the opportunity to develop and use these skills that can change their lives.

On Thursday 24th of October, eighteen students from Years 7-10 travelled to Phoenix P-12 Community College to participate in a public speaking and debating competition. The students spent the first half of the day in their debating groups with a mentor planning their speeches for their debate. We had two Year 7/8 teams and two 9/10 teams. The students did a great job planning their debate in teams. The second half of the day incorporated the students debating against other schools.

It was a very successful day for Beaufort Secondary College, winning three out of four debates and having three students awarded the Best Speakers across their debates.  One of our Year 7/8 teams won their debate against Woodmans Hill and Eric Wilkinson won Best Speaker in the debate. Both our Year 9/10 teams came away with a win, defeating Phoenix and Woodmans Hill, Best Speakers- Charlotte Stevens and Jaelyn Brand. Well done to all!

Charlotte Stevens- ‘It is a great day and a great opportunity to have a go at public speaking and debate. It is also well catered-great food!’

Tyla Armeni- ‘I enjoyed it a lot- it was something different’

Dallas Smart- ‘A really good experience’

Patrick Andrews- ‘It was fun! It was great to compete against other schools’

Noah Mclelland – ‘The whole thing was fun’

Jeff Debast – ‘It was good to work together as a team to create a speech. You were able to get pushed out of your comfort zone to speak in front of others. Not only did you speak in front of others, you were competing against others- kind of like an educated fight.’