ST CEDD'S SCHOOL PUPIL SCOOPS GOLD MEDAL AT PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION

St Cedd’s School’s Léannah Banerjee-Quetel was recently awarded the title of Best Speaker at the prestigious The English Speaking Union (ESU) Primary School Public Speaking Competition at Anglia Ruskin University.

The school’s Year 4 children enjoyed two Public Speaking Workshops organised by the ESU, where they first learnt public speaking skills followed by techniques for successful debating, as well as the roles of the team, and on 23 March 2017, twelve finalists attended The ESU Primary School Public Speaking Competition.

Up against strong competition, St Cedd’s School took two teams, each made up of a Captain, Chair, Speaker and Questioner, whose topics were ‘We believe that all children should not have a pet’ and ‘We believe that good manners are important.’ Both teams debated their arguments with aplomb, confidently fielding questions and eloquently persuading the large audience to adopt their respective stances. Plus, two children delivered lines from a poem about public speaking, and two children were competent ambassadors for the school in ‘management roles’, introducing each team and making presentations.

The judges noted that Léannah delivered her speech in the lecture theatre with poise and confidence, and she dealt unflappably with a particularly difficult question. Léannah received a gold medal for her achievement, and the other children were presented with a certificate each. The two other gold medals went to Rebeca
Nunez-Beraza from The Bishops’ School, who was awarded Best Questioner, and Constance Ratley from Elm Green School who scooped the Best Chair title.

Head of English at St Cedd’s School, Mrs C Picking, says, “Well done to Léannah and all members of both teams for performing so graciously and confidently in such an impressive venue: a university lecture theatre can be a daunting place, especially when faced with an audience of over one hundred people.”

The judges also singled out several St Cedd’s School children for being polite, thoughtful and helpful, an accolade which the school was delighted to receive. “At St Cedd’s School we seize opportunities that dovetail with our focus on developing confident, self-assured, articulate young people and the ESU provide invaluable experience to hone the pupils’ speaking and listening skills. We are very proud of the school’s success in this prestigious competition,” adds Head of St Cedd’s School, Dr P Edmonds.