Students from Springs Boys’ High School (SBHS) and Springs Girls’ High School (SGHS) received certificates recognising their public speaking skills at a presentation evening, held at the Pollak Park Golf Club, on Thursday.
At the function, students demonstrated the skills they had learnt during a Youth Leadership course presented by Toastmasters and the Springs Park Rotary Club over a six-week period.
Students presented prepared and impromptu speeches, and speech evaluations.
President of Refined Raconteurs Dr Ian Bratt, explained: “During the six-week course, students learnt the basics of public speaking, including a good speech structure and ensuring a clear speech purpose.”
The students were also introduced to the use of gestures and body language and the importance of good vocal variety in captivating the audience.
The top speaker from each school will compete against other speakers from East Rand schools at the Toastmasters Division One contest on Wednesday.
Hlengiwe Sibanyoni from SGHS and Siyanda Mnisi from SBHS were selected to participate.
The winner of this round will speak at the district final in Kempton Park on Friday.
Youth Leadership is a programme of Toastmasters International.Toastmasters International is the world’s leading organisation for developing the communication and leadership skills of its members.
The organisation currently has over 330 000 members in 126 countries worldwide.
Refined Raconteurs meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at Impala Platinum HRD auditorium, East Geduld between 5.30pm and 7pm.
There is no charge for guests to attend.
For more information, contact Bratt at ianbratt@global.co.za.
