DET Public Speaking Competition success

Written by: Ms Spencer and Matilda H-M (Oracy prefect)

Three teams from St Clement Danes travelled to Onslow St Audrey’s in Hatfield for the third DET public speaking competition, competing against teams from Croxley Danes, The John Warner School and Onslow St Audrey’s.

Amelila C, Sachin V and Anushka M (Year 9) were unanimously chosen by the judges for the overall Junior prize, debating the topic ‘AI will never take over’. They were praised for their confidence, team work and engagement with the audience. Sachin also won an individual award for best overall junior proposer for his confident well-paced delivery, lively scene setting and the way he drilled down into the detail.

Our other junior team also shone in a very competitive field. Xuanvy D, Annabella W and Kyra A (Year 8) debated passionately on the topic ‘Social media does more harm than good’ with one of the judges commenting that it made her think more positively on the upsides of social media in terms of relevance to modern life and connectivity.

In the senior event our Y12 team Simran S, Anya P and Evie S had the unenviable position of speaking last, but held their own as they debated the topic ‘Graffiti should be made legal’. They were praised for the originality of the topic, their use of anecdote and story-telling style as well as their professional and calm demeanour.

Other teams spoke on a range of engaging topics which they had chosen themselves including ‘Are paper books better than ebooks?’, ‘Is there such a thing as a just war?’ and ‘Is Freedom of Speech dying?’. The winning Senior team from Onslow St Audrey’s provided highly persuasive arguments on both sides of a debate on ‘Digital ID: The UK’s Panacea or Poison?’

As well as hearing 10 debates, pupils, parents and staff also enjoyed a generous tea provided by OSA where they chatted to the other contestants. Previous judges Ameeta Sabharwal and Rachel Gauke were joined by our former colleague Shand George.

In Ameeta’s words:
The standard of the competition was exceptionally high, and I believe it provided invaluable experience for all participants. It was a delight to listen to their well-prepared and thoroughly researched speeches, and it was evident that a great deal of effort, thought, and commitment had gone into their presentations. The competition created a wonderful platform for participants to develop and showcase their communication skills, and I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the experience.

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