Both Teams Through to Next Round of the ESU’s Churchill Public Speaking Competition
By Miss Gordon, Public Speaking Co-ordinator
Both teams representing NHEHS at the English Speaking Union’s Churchill Public Speaking Competition on Wednesday evening made it through to the second round! The prestigious ESU-Churchill Public Speaking Competition, sponsored by the International Churchill Society, is the largest such contest in England and Wales, with around 400 teams (each comprising a speaker, questioner and a chairperson). So this is a wonderful achievement in a highly prestigious, national competition. This is building on the success of our MACE Debate Team also progressing last week.
Congratulations to the following students: Sophie C (Chair), Tara M (Speaker on topic: Justice delayed is justice denied), Alex D (Questioner), Liliana B (Chair), Matilda H (Speaker on topic: The model for Swedish prisons should be replicated worldwide) and Matilda J (Questioner).
The ESU judges were extremely impressed and spent 25mins giving our students very constructive feedback. Snippets from their praise include:
“Amazing – no rabbit holes or empty platitudes”
“Contact me for a job in my law firm!”
“Seriously impressive, quietly assured and authoritative, yet welcoming and warm.”
“Incisive, well-researched, fluent and confident.”
“Actually got me MORE interested as the speech progressed, brought in own analysis and heightened engagement.”
So proud of them all. Here’s to the next round which will take place in the New Year with the Grand Final (fingers crossed!) in late April 2023.
