Public speaking puts fear into many people, but the Rotary Club of Pakenham has a project enabling Grade 5 and Grade 6 students the opportunity to conquer that fear at an early age.
The club’s 26th Primary School Public Speaking Competition was held on Tuesday 29 October at the Pakenham Golf Club. Sixteen students from nine primary schools in Nar Nar Goon, Officer and Pakenham, spoke in front of a large audience. The students chose their own topics and did their own research and preparation.
Rotarian Ken Rook said, “Each year we continue to be amazed at range of topics, the obvious amount of research and the outstanding quality of the presentations, this year was again no exception”.
All participants receive a certificate with award winners receiving a plaque; all students receive a prize to assist them with their transition to secondary school. The schools of the top three place getters also receive a donation to assist them with their school programs.
Champion Speaker was Declan Stapleton from St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, who spoke on “Emotions”.
Seconnd place: Abigail-Esther Mphande, Pakenham Primary School, “Confidence is Your Superpower”.
Third place: Jy Hyndman, Pakenham Hills Primary School, “AFL Football”.
President’s Award: Lyla Softly, Pakenham Hills Primary School, “How You Can Help with Climate Change”.
Encouragement Award: Faiza Ali, Pakenham Springs Primary School, “Fake”.
All finalists were excellent and once again their choice of topics was amazing. Other topics included, “Black Hole”, “The Gift of Giving”, “Saving Sea Creatures”, “English is Better than Maths”, “Sounds”, and “Rotary”.
Mr Rook said, “This event is a highlight of the Rotary year, and we congratulate all participants on the excellence of their presentations”.
