Prize Winning Students Speak Out
Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School triumphed at Bexley's Annual Public Speaking competition earlier this month (1 May), seeing off stiff competition from top teams from four other schools.
Bexleyheath School, Beths Grammar and Bexley Grammar Schools and Trinity School made up the rest of the competition that wowed the audience with 20 minute speeches covering such wide ranging subjects as multiculturalism, global warming. voter apathy, non-conformism and the value of punishment. Questions were taken from the judges panel at the end of each speech.
The winning team, Anna-Marie Treloar, Lawrence Easterbrook, Joseph Williams with support for fellow student Alex Pillow, gave a thought-provoking speech on 'The political apathy of the younger generation'.
In second place were Bexleyheath School with their question 'Are we as citizens doing enough to combat global warming?' followed by BETHS, who discussed multiculturalism.
The competition is held each year in memory of Cllr Brian Sams. Cllr Sams was a former Leader of the Education Committee and a strong advocate of the development of public speaking for young people.
Mayor of Bexley, Cllr Brian Beckwith, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Cllr Teresa O'Neill and Cabinet Member for Schools, Adult Education and Youth Services, Cllr Simon Windle made up the panel of judges. All agreed that it had been difficult to separate the contenders but that the balance was tipped by the winning teams ability to answer audience questions in detail and with a certain flair!
"Public speaking is a daunting experience for anyone," says Cllr Windle. "These students showed confidence and professionalism providing well researched speeches that had us all keen to hear more. The teams all did extremely well and I commend them for taking part in what was a great evening's entertainment "
"I congratulate the Chislehurst and Sidcup team for their winning speech - it was a close call but they deserved to take the trophy home."
The teams were made up of year 12 and 13 students with the exception of Bexleyheath School who fielded a team from year 11.
As part of the evening three student ambassadors from Greenwich University shared their experiences with the secondary students, giving them an insight into higher education.
Cllr Beckwith presented the winning team with a trophy which they will hold for a year.
