Primary schools speech contest
The overall winners of each age group with Paddy Gillooly who donated the Year 5 Cup, from left, Hazel Manson (Year 3), Fleur Howard (Year 4), Hayze Shuttleworth (Year 6) and Overall Spoeech Winner, and Harry Fleming (Year 5). Photo: Supplied.
Foxes, dolphins, a dog, a grandpa, and a little girl named Chloe all made their way into the top-quality speeches presented by Golden Bay students at this year’s annual primary schools speech contest.
Held this year at the Takaka Memorial Library, the two-day competition provided an opportunity for three students in each age group from each primary school to persuade the audience that their topic was worth listening to and that they knew what they were talking about.
Henry Ward, 9, of Motupipi is an old hat at speech contests. This year he spoke about his dog, Daisy. “She’s got lots to write about - she loves apple chips.” In spite of his prior public speaking experience, Henry said he was nervous. He had practised in front of the mirror, to his family, and to his dog. “She was just barking the whole time.”
Holly Rillstone, 8, of Collingwood Area School, wrote about her granddad, John Davis, who used to be the milkman.
“He’s really interesting and he’s done all sorts of jobs.” She too is an experienced speaker and she felt just fine. “The butterflies are gone.”
It was the first time in front of the big crowd for Maya Lewis, 8, of Takaka Primary. Maya, who said she is not a comedienne, spoke about jokes. “I like a good laugh,” she said.
Q: “What did the mom say when her son got pins and needles?”
A: “You can fix the buttons on your own shirt now.”
The students had advice for others who may give speeches: speak loudly, expressively, without mumbling, and don’t rush it.
“Also, if you get stage fright, just look at the judges, cos they’re always looking at you.”
Judge John Weston, a former principal of Collingwood Area School, was impressed with the originality and extended vocabulary of this year’s speakers, the confidence shown by many, and their preparation, as demonstrated by the non-use of cue cards. John said over his many years’ experience standards had improved.
“Kids are much more willing to have a go. That’s a sign of the times. Communication skills are so important and diverse. Communication media is more attainable now.”
Fellow judge Geoff Rennison said, “It’s always a surprise. Little kids can do amazing things in front of an audience. It’s delightful.”
Back in John and Geoff’s own schooldays, speech-giving was not done. Instead, students had to memorise poetry, and the teacher had to listen to the same poem repeatedly, from all her students, one after the other.
But John said listening and speaking had been part of the New Zealand curriculum since the 70s. Geoff added that it had been part of Golden Bay culture since around 1974, beginning with the Jaycees, the Toastmistresses, and the Soroptimists, who all formed debating teams.
And if this crop of up-and-coming orators is any indication, the debating future of Golden Bay looks cosmically brilliant.
Em Hofstede
Results: Year 3: 1st: Hazel Manson (M). 2nd=: Joey Grant (M) and Guy Robertson-King (M). 4th: Reggie McDonald (CAS). Year 4: 1st: Fleur Howard (M) 2nd: Josue Edwards (CTS). 3rd: Henry Ward (M). 4th=: Tara Cowin (TP) and Holly Rillstone (CAS). Year 5: 1st: Harry Fleming (M). 2nd: Maia Schinkel (CTS). 3rd: Lizzie Laws (M). Year 6: 1st: Hayze Shuttleworth (M). 2nd: Sammie van der Meer (TP). 3rd=: Laila Balzer (M) and Catrina Sadowski (TP). Overall Winner: Hayze Shuttleworth (M).
