On Thursday 9th December, two NHEHS teams of Year 11 students took part in the English Speaking Union’s Churchill Public Speaking National Competition.

The ESU Public Speaking Competition is the largest public speaking competition for schools in England and Wales and is open to Years 9-11. There are a series of heats building up to the grand final which is held in March. The competition, sponsored by the International Churchill Society attracts around 400 teams (each comprising a speaker, questioner and a chairperson). The different roles allow students to practise and excel in different skill sets, and the competition’s unique format, which pairs the speaker from one school with the chair and questioner of another, encourages quick thinking and relationship building. The competition encourages students to develop their oracy skills in a fun, friendly, supportive environment.

Team A took on the topic “The internet is a drug and we are all addicted.”

Lewhat Y Questioner

Elizabeth O’B Speaker

Shaan W Chair

Team B spoke on “How do you measure success?”

Clemency G Questioner

Bella P-M Speaker

Isabella H Chair

Miss Gordon was delighted with their performances and was thrilled to announce that both our teams went through to the next round to be held in January/February. Well done to all six team members!