Closely-contested primary school speech finals reveal high standards
Audiences composed of students, teachers and families witnessed the nail-biting and closely contested finals of the Golden Bay Primary Schools Speech Competitions this week.
Around 50 contestants from years 3 to 6, all finalists in their individual school competitions, asked whether animals should wear underpants, tried to persuade listeners that more time should be spent on physical education, showcased their extensive research on the animal kingdom, and described family members with love, eloquence and humour.
Cups were presented to Xanthe Rose for her comprehensive speech on penguins, to Hayze Shuttleworth for “Josh Coppins – My Hero”, to Wil Robertson-King for a delightful and well-delivered speech on his grandparents, and to Sam Kearon for his account of some unusual world records and how to achieve them.
Wil Robertson-King was also awarded the Pam Croxford Memorial Cup as overall winner for all age groups.
Judges John Weston and Maria Polglase said that the standard of the actual compositions this year, in terms of content and vocabulary, was consistently and exceptionally high, with placings often hanging on a quarter of a point for the quality of delivery, and that many speakers who missed out on placings still displayed considerable strengths.
Many speeches also reflected the quality of students’ research and schools’ persuasive writing practice in the classroom, which broadened the scope of the topics presented at the school and area levels.
The judges commended teachers for keeping literacy alive and well in Golden Bay, and Central Takaka Principal Liz Batten for her continued organisation of the event.
Maria Polglase
Results: Motupipi - M, Collingwood - CAS, Takaka Primary - TP, Central Takaka - CTS.
Year 3: 1st Xanthe Rose M. 2nd Amy Solly CAS. 3rd= Emily Kearon TP, Harry Fleming M. Year 4: 1st Hayze Shuttleworth M. 2nd Tessa Sparrow CAS. 3rd Kathy Shaw CTS. Year 5: 1st Wil Robertson–King M. 2nd Shanelle Bayliss-Bowden CTS. 3rd= Genya Moiseeva TP, Jasper Turner CTS. Year 6: 1st Sam Kearon TP. 2nd = Clarissa Barham CAS, Josh Childs M. 3rd Rosie Richmond M.
