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Junior Speech Competition 2
 
Photo by Anthea Hunt

Junior Speech Competitions 2020

AGHS —

On Friday 18 September, Avonside Girls’ held our annual Year 9 and Year 10 public speaking competitions in the Small Theatre. Our esteemed judge was Mrs Ruth Dove, a recent former member of the English Department.

Prior to the speech competition, all junior English and Integrated Studies classes wrote then delivered their own speeches. Teachers from each class then chose at least one student to take part in the grand final. The standard was especially high this year, with every student delivering a memorized speech, spoken with passion and conviction. The range of topics was also most impressive, from the importance of being yourself, to spiritual health. Mrs Dove commented that it was very tough deciding on the eventual winners, as there were so many great speeches.

Warm congratulations to Evie Dobbs, from 9XV, who won the Year 9 competition (her topic was politics) and Shaqieq Joya, from 10CT, who won the Year 10 section (where she described refugee life in New Zealand). Runners up in this very tight competition were Jessie Harris (9XV) and Kamryn Kautai-Lei ((10MT). All four students are talented orators with a great future in public speaking!

The Year 10 finalists below, from left to right, are: Mikayla Sheldon, Alexus Masiu, Gianna Watkinson, Kamryn Kautai-Lei, Ashlin Banks, Tia Lawson, Shaqieq Joya and Chloe Gittins.

The Year 10 winner and runner up:  Shaqieq Joya and Kamryn Kautai-Lei.