30 Shiphay Lane, Torquay TQ2 7DY
E: admin@tggsacademy.org
T: 01803 613215
Y7-11 Absence Line: 01803 653 750
30 Shiphay Lane, Torquay TQ2 7DY
E: admin@tggsacademy.org T: 01803 613215
Y7-11 Absence Line: 01803 653 750
The most successful public speaking team in TGGS history!
In a recent survey, it was found that the number one fear of the general population was public speaking- with fear of death coming in second place. This means that more people would rather die than stand up and speak in front of a large audience!!
Not the case for our three students from years 10 and 11 who made the long journey to Cambridge University over the bank holiday weekend, for the Finals of the English Speaking Union’s Public Speaking competition.
From a massive 450 schools who started the competition back in November last year, we were facing the final 6 teams from across the entire country – this was one formidable twaddle of public speakers (yes – ‘twaddle’ is the collective noun).
The day started with powerful, yet entertaining, talks on: the dangers of artificial intelligence; whether tourism was destroying poorer countries and the benefits of a materialistic lifestyle. You know you’ve demonstrated your rhetorical prowess when most of the audience leave the auditorium with a renewed suspicion of their Alexas, ready to cancel their holidays and singing Madonna’s Material Girl all the way to the dining hall.
It was an uncomfortable wait, despite the spectacular lunch, to learn if we had made it through to the afternoon presentations. But through we went – to face the best of the best when it comes to public speaking. With the grandson of Winston Churchill looking on, our chair person, Isabella Passerelli, held her nerve with confidence and style, hosting the presentation with impressive ease. Eve Buckley had the grim task of questioning the opposing team, responding to their speech and debating a topic with little time to prepare; like a vulture circling a dying antelope, there was no mercy as Eve carefully tore strips off her prey with a jolly smile. That just left Annemieke Karssens to swoop in and deliver a 5 minute speech to her audience; from impersonating an airline captain, to emotive rhetoric, before ending with biting sarcasm, Annemieke held nothing back.
This team of three were as impressive on stage as they were supportive behind the scenes. We narrowly lost out to another school from London who were well-deserved winners and, while the event was exhausting, it was utterly brilliant.
Well done to the most successful public speaking team in TGGS history!
To watch the public speaking live stream click here.
