Earlier this month, the Trinityhouse Little Falls School and the Florida Toastmasters got together for the school’s annual Interhouse Public Speaking Competition. One of the most valuable benefits young people can derive from participation in competitive public speaking programmes such as this is learning effective public speaking skills.
The competition challenged the participants to give their best and pupils and staff were encouraged to show team spirit. Each team contributed as much as possible, with the aim of winning the overall Interhouse Public Speaking Competition. At the end of the academic year, all the House points are added up and the House with the highest score wins the overall trophy.
The Judging Guide set up by the school makes the competition unique. The Score Sheet consists of 6 categories, totalling 50 points. Each speaker’s goal is to attain the maximum in as many categories as they can. The fact that the participants had rehearsed their speeches and spent much time practising showed in the quality of their presentations.
The challenge for the adjudicators from Florida Toastmasters Club, Craig Ellis, Barry Nelson, Dick Hallett, and Doctor Elize Ellis, was to find the correct balance between communication and performance without being influenced by the magnificence of the orator delivering the speech. Because these young people are forming public speaking habits that can last them a lifetime, it is important for the adjudicator to apply a consistent and fair subjective opinion when determining the best performance, in order to help the speakers become effective communicators and leaders.
There were 37 participants ranging from Grade 4 to Grade 7 who overcame their nerves and showcased their speaking talents. The speeches were evaluated, and the results were analysed by the adjudicators.
The winning teams and individual awards were as follows;
Grade 4 – House Name: Wycliffe
Best Speaker – Bohlokoa Mokoena: ‘Five sure to impress excuses for not handing in your homework on time’
Grade 5 – House Name: Tyndale
Best Speaker – Anais Taljaard: ‘How to successfully fail your exams’
Grade 6 – House Name: Coverdale
Best Speaker: Max Naude: ‘What parents really mean…’
Grade 7 – House Name: Coverdale
Best Speaker: Connor Smith: ‘If walls could talk, what would they say?’
For information about the Florida Toastmasters club meetings, contact Paul Muller on 082 929 7981 or via e-mail to paulthomasmuller@gmail.com. Alternatively, contact the club president, Tim Knights via e-mail to timknights@telkomsa.net or call 082 894 7542
The club meets every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Huguenot Restaurant which is near Entrance 1 of the Flora Centre, located on the corner of Conrad and Ontdekkers Road, Florida Park.
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