ASPIRING public speakers from Hampton Park Primary School in Morley were rewarded at the school’s annual public speaking competition on August 17.
Students from Years 1 to 6 prepared and presented speeches on topics such as gaming, shark culling, sugar intake and fruit bats.
Acting principal Janet De Jonk said the standard of this year’s speeches were the highest the school had ever seen.
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READ NOW“Every child prepares a speech and they present it to their class teachers who then select year level finalists… they are the ones who go to the public speaking competitions,” she said.
“From Year 3 onward, they have to give a point of view on a topic rather than like the little ones who just talk about a dog in a factual report.”
Mrs De Jonk said Year 1 gold winner Drew Pustkuchen worked hard to deliver his speech.
“When Drew started school in pre-primary, he did not speak for three terms… he just chose not to speak and did not have the confidence,” she said.
“Working through the system to get to the stage where he stood up in front of 360 kids and 20 or 30 parents is fantastic for him.”
Drew’s parents Helen and Jay said his improvement was because of his determination and the support and encouragement of his teachers.
Medals were awarded to the best speeches, which were selected by a judging panel led by retired librarian Pam Gilchrist and Morley MLA Ian Britza.