JUNIOR SCHOOL PUBLIC SPEAKING AND DEBATING

Posted CGGS Newsletter No 21  -1 August 2008

ROSTRUM

The Junior School first entered the Rostrum Public Speaking Competition in 1985. Over the ensuing years, the public speaking skills gained by our students have provided a sound basis for debating, drama and oral presentations, not only  during their time at the Junior School, but also as they move to the Senior School and out into the wider community. Many of our students have achieved a high level of expertise in these areas in local, national and international arenas.

This week the Junior School hosted one of the four semi-finals for the Primary School level.  The eight schools participating on this night were Wanniassa Hills, Palmerston, St Joseph’s Boorowa, Charles Conder, Weetangera, St Michael’s Kaleen, Campbell and Chapman.  Phyllida Behm, Hee Jin Choi, Lydia Heaton and Matilda Millar-Carton volunteered to take on the roles of chairpeople and timekeepers and were complemented on the mature and efficient manner with which they approached these tasks.  Phyllida also represented the School at a semi final held at Jerrabomberra on Monday night with her interesting interpretation of the topic My Magic Cape. Phyllida’s cape was not of the wearing variety, but was explained in a well researched speech about the trials and tribulations of Green Cape located near Eden on the NSW South Coast.  As Phyllida told the audience, “Green Cape was the nemesis of many ships….”  and it was here that the SS Ly-ee-moon struck the rocks at the bottom of Green Cape lighthouse on the 31 May 1886. Interestingly, one of the 76 passengers who died in this tragic shipwreck was Flora McKillop, mother of Mary McKillop, founder of the Order of nuns known as the Sisters of St Joseph and the Sacred Heart and possibly Australia’s first saint. Five of the people who died in the shipwreck are buried at Green Cape and, as Phyllida warns, has left this serene spot with a reminder of the need to be cautious.

We congratulate all our students who have been involved in this important program this year and look forward to their continued success in the future.

Barbara Selleck
Rostrum Coordinator

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Posted CGGS Newsletter No. 16 - 6 June 2008

JUNIOR SCHOOL ROSTRUM

Since 1971 Rostrum has sponsored a Public Speaking Competition for primary students in the ACT and surrounding districts. Over the past few weeks, all students in Year 6 have prepared speeches on topics provided by Rostrum. From these, seven students were selected to compete in the Junior School Final held in Assembly this week. The finalists were: Niki Johnson, Lydia Heaton, Sarah Gore, Phyllida Behm, Eden Milne, Matilda Millar-Carton and Iona Claringbold.  Assisting as chairpeople and timers were Michelle Lee, Cassidy Shaw, Grace Wooton, Deanna Arora, Clementine Retallick and Rowena Pang.  The winner this year was Phyllida Behm with her speech on My Magic Cape. Iona Claringbold was the runner- up with her topic of Computers, Friend or Foe. Phyllida was presented with the Rostrum shield and will go on to represent CGGS at the quarter finals.  

Students in Year 5 are now in the process of preparing speeches for participation in an internal competition. The winner will receive a trophy and present her speech in Assembly.  

Barbara Selleck
Rostrum Coordinator

The seven finalists - top row, left to right: Lydia Heaton, Phyllida Behm, Iona Claringbold, Matilda Millar-Carton; bottom row, left to right: Sarah Gore, Niki Johnson, Eden Milne.

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Rostrum Public Speaking Competition

Rostrum ACT supports the development of public speaking skills by organising an annual competition for Primary School students. Over ninety schools in the ACT and surrounding NSW region are involved in the competition each year.

Over the past few weeks, all students in Year 6 in our Junior School delivered speeches in their class rooms as part of the selection process for the School final. They chose their topics from the following list provided by Rostrum: Hair, Ants, My Hobby, Hanging Out, My Backyard and Time Travelling. From the one hundred and two students, fourteen were selected to compete for a finalist position. The standard was very high and it was a difficult task to identify just six speakers to compete for the Rostrum Shield. The finalists were Samantha Beattie, Holly Smith, Jessie Andrikis, Emily Greenberg, Maia Cusack and Sarah Naco.  The final was adjudicated by Mr Frances McGuigan from the Senior School. Emily Greenberg was awarded the Rostrum Shield and Samantha Beattie was the runner up. Emily will now go on to represent the Junior School at the Quarter Finals. Students in Year 5 are now preparing speeches to compete for the Junior School Year 5 Public Speaking trophy.