With the continued sponsorship of the Catholic Schools Office and the Catholic Development Fund, the competition was fiercely contested.

Topics included travel, competition, humanity, democracy, greed and unity. Students had no trouble commanding the attention of the audience and presenting their unique ideas to the room with poise and confidence.

Diocesan Chairperson, Niamh Marzol, was once again thrilled with the standard and the enthusiastic way the students embraced the topics.

Adjudicators Peter McNair and Liz Bugbird, both retired principals from the Department of Education, commended the students and the structure of the competition.

They admire the impromptu dimension of the competition and thoroughly enjoy adjudicating the children’s work.

“The quality of the speeches here today far exceeded our expectations as adjudicators. The students understanding of democracy and unity was especially impressive and their ability to convey that message in such an engaging manner made our decisions very difficult here today” said Peter McNair.

Winners of the Secondary Public Speaking competition are as follows:

Early Stage 1

1^st – Braith Punton, St Aloysius Catholic Primary School, Chisholm

2^nd – Harry Brennan, St Columba’s Primary School, Adamstown

3^rd – Poppy King, St Columba’s Primary School, Adamstown

Stage 1

1^st – Ruby Forde, St Columban’s Primary School, Mayfield

2^nd – Callum Doherty, St James’ Primary School, Muswellbrook

3^rd – Holly Clack, St Aloysius Catholic Primary School, Chisholm

Stage 2

1^st – Ruby Vella, Holy Family Primary School, Merewether Beach

2^nd – Sienna Williams, Our Lady of Victories Primary School, Shortland

3^rd – Aiden Collison, St Joseph’s Primary School, Taree

Stage 3

1^st – Stephanie Sargent, St Columba’s Primary School, Adamstown

2^nd – Lachlan Monks, Holy Name Primary School, Forster

3^rd – Lauren O’Neill, St Joseph’s Primary School, Wingham

Thank you to all who attended today, and to those who helped to make the day a successful and positive learning experience for all students involved.

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