Year 11

Australian Individual and Debating Public Speaking Championships

How convincing could you be discussing a randomly selected topic with only 2 minutes of preparation? Could you draw readers into the world of a work of fiction in a 9-minute interpretative reading? What about convincingly arguing a topic, paired with someone you have never met, and with only 45 minutes preparation? Or could you engage an audience totally through humour, persuasion and pizazz over 10 minutes? If you think this is a challenge ready for you to conquest, then perhaps the Australian Individual and Debating Public Speaking Championships is for you!

This week, Yr 11 students Eleanor Blankenstein, Jesse Forrest, Hiro Phillips and Sophie Yu competed in the Australian Individual and Debating Public Speaking Championships in Brisbane. The winners of this competition go on to represent Australia at the Worlds competition in Malaysia! Yr 8 students, Paige Barnett, Aimee Kang, Fergus Kerr and Liv Law were also on the tour as part of the Junior division, the Australian Speakfest competition.

Across a couple of days of competition students needed to provide an interpretative reading of fiction, engage in parliamentary style debates, present impromptu 3–5-minute speeches (with only 2 minutes of preparation!) and offer a prepared persuasive speech or after-dinner speech. It is a nerve wracking and adrenaline inducing place to be, particularly as our Yr 11 students found themselves competing against students who had attended this competition for multiple years, while this was the first time Redlands has ever sent a team. Nevertheless, their confidence and poise in engaging in each activity was wonderful to see and I have no doubt that the experience has emboldened them and further developed their oratory skills. The tour also gave students some fun downtime exploring Brisbane city’s sights, sounds and surrounds, and having a relaxed evening of barefoot bowls after the first two days of competition. 

Congratulations to all the students for their efforts over the week, particularly to Jesse who came 4th in the after-dinner speech section, and Sophie who came 7th in debating and 14th overall – huge achievements given the high level of competition and skill at the tournament!

Many thanks to Ms Vyvian Kang who coordinated the tour and Mr Jimmy Tod-Hill and Ms Claudia Zaferis who assisted in supervision.

 

Camp Reminders

  • Meeting Time: 6.30am, Monday 14 October 
  • Meeting Point: Gerard St, Gate (undercroft) – Departing from Redlands Lane, Senior Campus
  • Returning at: Approximately 2.30pm, Friday 18 October – Pick-up at Gerard St Gate
  • Activities: As advised
  • Food for Day 1:Snacks and Lunch for Day 1 (No Nut products)
  • Medications:           

As you prepare for your well-deserved holiday break, take a moment to reflect on all your hard work and achievements this term. Use this time to relax, recharge, and enjoy moments with friends and family. When you return, you’ll be stepping into your final ‘year’ of school, filled with exciting opportunities and new challenges. Embrace the journey ahead with enthusiasm and confidence. Wishing you a wonderful holiday, and we look forward to seeing you bright and early on the morning of camp.

Ms Lisa Vale
Yr 11 Advisor
9968 9837
lvale@redlands.nsw.edu.au