Speak Out
250 pupils from Year 10 in local schools responded to the Speak Out Challenge. This is organised by Speakersbank, which encourages young people to learn communication skills and develop self-confidence through public speaking. It recognises that the ability to be articulate in public is a key skill in active community life, and it actively promotes this through workshops and competitions.
These were the finalists - two from each school - with Sean Heslop, the Head of Tiffin, where the finals were held. Sadly I had to leave before the speaking got underway as I was hosting my next event at the Guildhall. But it was great to meet them all and to wish them well, whatever the outcome on the night.
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Christine Baker on behalf of Jack Petchey Foundation
on08 May 2007at21:28
Sean Kennedy at Speakers Bank asked me to send you the press release send out to local papers in Kingston. Sean thought you might like to put it on your blog site to update information on the final. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.
YOUNG VOICES IN KINGSTON TAKE UP THE “SPEAK OUT” CHALLENGE!
EUROPE’S BIGGEST PUBLIC SPEAKING EVENT
Belinda Ellingham from Tolworth Girls School took first place with a winning speech on giving blood at the Kingston borough final of the JPF “Speak Out” Challenge! held at Tiffin Boys School on Friday 24th April.
All 16 speakers were taking part in the biggest public speaking event in Europe. Second was JJ Passingham from Tiffin Boys School who spoke about big business and third was Vithya Premkumar from Tiffin Girls School with her subject character. The top three winners won ipods and all students received framed certificates.
During this academic year, over 10,500 Year 10 students aged 14 and 15 years old, from 423 state secondary schools in 32 London Boroughs have received a full day’s professional training in public speaking and effective communication – two essential life skills. Now, the challenge is on to find the 2007 JPF “Speak Out” Challenge! Champion.
This is a unique event for London. It has involved thousands of London teenagers, all of whom have strong views about today’s issues. One of the other special features about the JPF “Speak Out” Challenge! is that every pupil has the opportunity to choose and speak on any subject about which they feel passionate.
Young people want to be heard and this contest has proved a fascinating way of finding out what they think about present day issues such as gun crime, the family unit, racism and the environment. It is also a way of letting the public and the media know that teenagers are not just interested in fashion labels, mobile phones and pop music.
Sponsored by the Jack Petchey Foundation, the public speaking training for this £350,000 project is being delivered by SpeakersBank, part of the Speakers Trust charity, which is providing six hours of professional public speaking training to each school.
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YOUNG VOICES IN KINGSTON Cont…. Page 2
The project started in October 2006 and feedback from students has been incredibly positive. Many of the teenagers have told how much more confident they now feel and for many this training was the first time they felt their opinions had been listened to and valued.
Teachers think the scheme is a winner too. They say that public speaking training is empowering young people and for many it is the first time they have had the confidence to speak out in public.
Sixteen students from schools in Bexley spoke passionately about a range of subjects close to their hearts which included the pathway to media exposure, love yourself, Amazon rain forests, and holocaust memorial.
Judges included David Salmon, property business leader and public speaker, and Helen Whatley, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Kingston & Surbiton.
"The standard was very impressive, with all the speakers standing up and addressing the large audience boldly without notes. There was a huge range of topics, from 'species extinction' to 'what to do in Kingston on a Friday night', but Belinda Ellingham was a clear winner with her speech on giving blood to save lives. She spoke with confidence, clarity and passion, with clever use of a poster to make her speech stand out. She was introduced as an aspiring politician and I can see she'll go far."
Prizes for the London wide challenge final include a holiday in Portugal for the winner and £3,000 for their school. In all prizes total £15,000 making it the highest award ever for public speaking. The final will take place on Thursday 5th July at London’s Mermaid Events & Conference Centre.
-ends –
YOUNG VOICES IN KINGSTON TAKE UP THE “SPEAK OUT” CHALLENGE!
EUROPE’S BIGGEST PUBLIC SPEAKING EVENT
Belinda Ellingham from Tolworth Girls School took first place with a winning speech on giving blood at the Kingston borough final of the JPF “Speak Out” Challenge! held at Tiffin Boys School on Friday 24th April.
All 16 speakers were taking part in the biggest public speaking event in Europe. Second was JJ Passingham from Tiffin Boys School who spoke about big business and third was Vithya Premkumar from Tiffin Girls School with her subject character. The top three winners won ipods and all students received framed certificates.
During this academic year, over 10,500 Year 10 students aged 14 and 15 years old, from 423 state secondary schools in 32 London Boroughs have received a full day’s professional training in public speaking and effective communication – two essential life skills. Now, the challenge is on to find the 2007 JPF “Speak Out” Challenge! Champion.
This is a unique event for London. It has involved thousands of London teenagers, all of whom have strong views about today’s issues. One of the other special features about the JPF “Speak Out” Challenge! is that every pupil has the opportunity to choose and speak on any subject about which they feel passionate.
Young people want to be heard and this contest has proved a fascinating way of finding out what they think about present day issues such as gun crime, the family unit, racism and the environment. It is also a way of letting the public and the media know that teenagers are not just interested in fashion labels, mobile phones and pop music.
Sponsored by the Jack Petchey Foundation, the public speaking training for this £350,000 project is being delivered by SpeakersBank, part of the Speakers Trust charity, which is providing six hours of professional public speaking training to each school.
/cont…..
YOUNG VOICES IN KINGSTON Cont…. Page 2
The project started in October 2006 and feedback from students has been incredibly positive. Many of the teenagers have told how much more confident they now feel and for many this training was the first time they felt their opinions had been listened to and valued.
Teachers think the scheme is a winner too. They say that public speaking training is empowering young people and for many it is the first time they have had the confidence to speak out in public.
Sixteen students from schools in Bexley spoke passionately about a range of subjects close to their hearts which included the pathway to media exposure, love yourself, Amazon rain forests, and holocaust memorial.
Judges included David Salmon, property business leader and public speaker, and Helen Whatley, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Kingston & Surbiton.
"The standard was very impressive, with all the speakers standing up and addressing the large audience boldly without notes. There was a huge range of topics, from 'species extinction' to 'what to do in Kingston on a Friday night', but Belinda Ellingham was a clear winner with her speech on giving blood to save lives. She spoke with confidence, clarity and passion, with clever use of a poster to make her speech stand out. She was introduced as an aspiring politician and I can see she'll go far."
Prizes for the London wide challenge final include a holiday in Portugal for the winner and £3,000 for their school. In all prizes total £15,000 making it the highest award ever for public speaking. The final will take place on Thursday 5th July at London’s Mermaid Events & Conference Centre.
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Fumz
(Homepage)
on03 December 2007at17:39
Hi, Im Funmi.. i made it to the borough finals this year.!
Its this friday :o..yh Xciting i knw..!
Any way.. r there any Special tips..Your willing to give me.?
FnkYou.xXx
Its this friday :o..yh Xciting i knw..!
Any way.. r there any Special tips..Your willing to give me.?
FnkYou.xXx
on03 December 2007at18:28
0star(s) awarded
Congratulations!
As for tips - I'm sure you've been given advice on how to speak, but the main thing I try to remember is to take things slowly and speak deliberately. Don't be afraid of pausing between sentences. When anyone is nervous they tend to go too fast.
Also do try to look at people as much as possible. If you find eye contact distracts you then look at the tops of their heads. Hope that helps! Good luck.
As for tips - I'm sure you've been given advice on how to speak, but the main thing I try to remember is to take things slowly and speak deliberately. Don't be afraid of pausing between sentences. When anyone is nervous they tend to go too fast.
Also do try to look at people as much as possible. If you find eye contact distracts you then look at the tops of their heads. Hope that helps! Good luck.
Funmi
(Homepage)
on12 December 2007at21:50
Thankyuuuuuuu..! i won..! - i don't think i had a problem..Best school night yet..Thnxxxx
I Realy hope that i get into the grand Finals... all my friends are comming again..bcos we won best support..!
Going to have glowy sticks, whistles ... the lot =]./thankyu so much..!
I Realy hope that i get into the grand Finals... all my friends are comming again..bcos we won best support..!
Going to have glowy sticks, whistles ... the lot =]./thankyu so much..!
on12 December 2007at22:16
0star(s) awarded
Brilliant! Well done and good luck for future rounds.
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