Students triumph in Liverpool Archdiocese Public Speaking Competition

Students with the gift of the gab from De La Salle School, in Eccleston, Hope Academy, Newton-le-Willows and St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic High School in Blackbrook joined others from across the region for the annual Liverpool Archdiocese Public Speaking Competition held at Carmel College.

The overall aim of the contest was to foster presentation and communication skills with all walks of life including the business world, increasingly reliant on these abilities.

Topics included "The whole economy needs to be realigned around the goal of preventing climate change" and "The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed (Steve Biko)".

The judges, Deacon Paul Mannings, Cath O’Leary (Liverpool Archdiocese) and Michelle Williams (vice principal at Carmel College) were overwhelmed by the confidence, knowledge and talent of the students delivering their speeches. 

Paul Greenall, partnership director for the Archdiocese of Liverpool Secondary School Improvement Trust, said: “All the students showed tremendous courage and determination in presenting to an audience of people they did not know in a large auditorium.

"All students performed magnificently and should be proud of themselves for their efforts on the day.”

The standard of the competition was very high, making the final decision a difficult choice for the judges.

However, after some deliberation Jenna Fairclough, from Hope Academy, was crowned the winner with her speech on ‘What is Britishness in 2022?’.

This made Hope Academy the archdiocese's Public Speaking Competition Champions of 2022.

Alfie McFarlane, of De La Salle, came second

Second place went to Alfie McFarlane, from De La Salle, with his speech on "Schools should do more to support young people's mental health".

Meanwhile, third place went to James MacKinnon from Sacred Heart Catholic College in Crosby with his speech on "Should it be compulsory to be vaccinated?".

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Judge, Deacon Paul Mannings, praised the students who took part.

He said: "The judges were extremely impressed by the skill and quality on display today. The personality of the students shone through, and they delivered their speech with a unique voice.

"It is fantastic to see our students return to the same high standards following covid disruption and it is events like this that make us proud to be part of the Archdiocesan community”.