Speeches scoop up prizes

Standing up, facing a crowd and speaking to an audience can be a daunting task at the best of times, especially when you are presenting an argument that’s taken weeks to curate. “Practice makes perfect” is probably as relevant here as it is anywhere, and for Bunbury Primary School, giving students the opportunity to speak in front of their peers on a daily basis was a major factor in it taking out the Collie-Preston Interschool Oral Speaking competition. Students had to qualify to represent the school at the event, formulating an argument of their choice and presenting it to their class and the school and then a select few delivered their speech in front of a panel of judges. Year 5 student Paige Fisher used lived experience and the lessons she learnt when her house caught fire last year to form a discussion around why “everyone should have a fire evacuation plan”, which won her first place for her year. “I picked my topic because last year, we had a house fire,” Paige said. “I thought it was really important that everyone had an evacuation plan because we did not have one and that nearly risked my dad’s life. “If people had one (a plan) they would know how to evacuate quickly and safely.” Gage Murphy was the first place winner in the Year 4 competition, using her own experiences this year to argue that smaller classes are a more effective way for students to learn. “I chose my topic because my class has 32 kids, which is way too many students,” she said. “The classrooms are too small and it’s over-crowded and sometimes there a behavioural issues.” School principal Shane Doherty said he was proud of his students. “I just find it amazing that kids that age have the ability to stand in front of an audience and deliver a speech,” he said.