Benoni High School has officially become a Gavel Club in order to better their learners’ communication and leadership skills.
The Gavel Club falls under the umbrella of Toastmasters International, which was started by Ralph Smedley in the USA with the hope to empower youngsters’ speaking potential.
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“We became a gavel club because we realised Grade 11 children aspire to be Representative Council of Learners (RCL),” said Toastmasters International Advanced Communicator Gold, Pieter van Heerden.
“However, they struggle to talk and represent leadership skills so we want to help them from Grade Eight.”
Van Heerden, who is also a teacher at Benoni High School (BHS), said the learners will complete two books; namely, Competent Communication and Competent Leadership.
“Upon completion they will receive a certificate which certifies them as competent leaders and communicators,” he said.
According to van Heerden, BHS followed the gavel club curriculum from 2014, but only received the documentation certifying them as a gavel club this year.
“We have about 15 to 40 children who attend the meetings every Friday,” van Heerden said.
“All of them need to complete the 10 projects in each book.”
Van Heerden said the club is run by the learners as no person older than 18 may be a member of the club.
“The learners decide what the agenda will be and evaluate each other,” he said.
“They are just assisted by the Benoni Toastmasters club.”
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