To conclude what has been a hectic term, the English Department held their traditional Year Level Speech Competitions across the last week, as a way to celebrate all things oratorical.

The best speakers from the Middle and Senior Schools took part, once again illustrating why Columba College has such a formidable reputation for public speaking.

The Year 11 competition kicked off proceedings, albeit with a slight twist; given the uncertainty regarding crowd numbers due to Covid, it was decided that these pioneering students would deliver their words of wisdom via Google Meet, with their peers watching from the comfort of their classrooms. In spite of trepidation regarding the Wi-Fi quality, the competition went off without a hitch, as Skyla Murray wowed the judges with her slam poem on Gender Roles. This was followed by the Year 13 edition, held over lunchtime in the library (with guest judge Mrs Duthie), where eventual winner Lily Frewen delivered a devastating polemic on the hypocrisy of beauty standards.

The Year 8 competition was next, as the selected speakers from each class bared their souls about their Treasure Box, containing the things most precious to them – Carys Williams was a most worthy winner. The top Year 10 speakers could not be separated – Alice Johnston railing against homophobia, and Emily Sharpe taking female stereotypes to task - so this competition saw the first tie of Speech Week. There was creativity galore as the Year 7s spoke about inventions that changed the world – from the toilet to Lego and even the Christmas tree – with India Lyons’ animated discussion of penicillin seeing her emerge victorious.

Thursday afternoon saw the Year 9 contestants deliver thoughtful speeches on a wide array of topics including the Greek Gods, why Triathlon is the ultimate sport, and the importance of being yourself. Sophia Scott took the title with her touching korero on Mana Wahine where she celebrated the women in her Whakapapa. The finale of the week’s festivities witnessed the Year 12 competition - a fitting crescendo to the term. From the eye-opening to the impassioned and poetic, Grace Johnston impressed all comers with a vivid message regarding Toxic Masculinity. Many kindest thanks to the English Department judges, Ms Wooton for the use of the library, and most importantly, the contestants, whose confidence, effervescence and dedication are a credit not only to Columba, but also themselves.