29 October 2007

World Class Speakers at Queen Anne's

The International Independent Schools’ Public Speaking Championships, the largest event of its kind in North America, was held in the UK for the first time this year at Queen Anne’s School, Caversham.

Queen Anne’s, who has an impressive reputation for public speaking, welcomed more than 40 competing schools this week from Canada, USA , UK, Scotland, Bermuda and Cyprus.

The three day championship began on Thursday 25 October. The international teams competed in nine categories, including parliamentary debate, radio newscast, dramatic interpretation and after dinner speaking. Their performances were closely assessed by nearly 100 volunteer judges including Queen Anne’s parents, old girls, former staff and associates.

Queen Anne’s entered two teams of three girls: Rebecca Gee, Daisy Sanderson, Elizabeth Style, Amy Bartolomei, Sinead Costelloe and Jessica Moran.

Elizabeth Style gained 1st place in Interpretive Speaking and Rebecca Gee gained 15th place overall in the competition, out of 142 students. Grace Ogilby, from Winsor School, Boston, Massachusetts gained 1st place overall and Glenlyon Norfolk School, Victoria, Columbia, gained best team overall.

Earlier this year, in April, Afiya Titus, Elizabeth Style and Rebecca Gee also gained second place in the national finals of the Rotary Club’s ‘Youth Speaks’ championships, competing against 25 UK and Irish teams, who collectively beat more than 2,500 teams.

Commenting on the championships, Mrs Julia Harrington, Headmistress, said: "I am delighted to have welcomed teams from across the world to Queen Anne's for the 2007 championships. Public speaking and debate are extremely important disciplines, which arm students with invaluable skills, helping them to become confident, articulate and influential communicators".

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