Public Speaking

About

Baulkham Hills North Public School offers students the opportunity to enter two externally run public speaking competitions. The Hills Multicultural Public Speaking Competition (rehearsed and impromptu) and the Hills Network Public speaking competition (rehearsed). In each competition students, plan, prepare, rehearse and perform a speech on a given topic. This is usually done at home as part of the student’s homework.

The first round of the competitions are held at classroom level with speeches being performed to a class audience. Two students with the overall highest scores progress through to a Stage competition where they compete against students from other classes with a much larger audience. The two overall most competent speakers from each stage then progress through to the area/ regional competition. In Stage 2, speeches are optional, whereas in Stage 3 it is compulsory for students to participate. 

Selection process 

Competitions are held at classroom level. The two students with the overall highest scores progress through to a Stage competition and compete against students from other classes. Then the two overall most competent speakers from each stage progress through to the area/regional competition. In Stage 2, speeches are optional, whereas in Stage 3 it is compulsory for students to participate. 

Benefits of the program 

• Offers students the opportunity to speak in front of large groups of people 

• Encourages students to think on their feet 

• Builds confidence and leadership skills

• Allows friendly interschool competition 

• Offers opportunities to gifted speakers 

• Critical thinking

• Personal development 

Reporting

Students have public speaking listed as an extracurricular activity on their reports if they represent their class. Public speaking competitions are often incorporated into reports comments under formal Speaking and Listening presentations.