Events

The Rostrum Voice of Youth is an national public speaking competition which showcases some of Australia’s most articulate young people. This week, Covenant senior students participated in the Sydney heats at International Grammar School, Broadway. Simon Swadling, Matthew Walter and Grace Fitz- Gerald were outstanding representatives of the school, speaking about some very pertinent issues with a great deal of confidence and thoughtfulness. Grace was awarded runner-up.

Each of our students are commended on their fine speeches.

Sam Glassock
English Coordinator

An idea conceived over two months ago became a reality when 16 children came together on 5th of November at Northern Beaches Christian School. The goal was ostensibly to hold a debate and children had been selected based on their past experience in this skill area, however there was a subtle difference to this ‘Inter-school event’.  Rather than compete with a prepared team, fighting it out for the glory of the school, each team would consist of one child from each school. In this we challenged the children to create a team, proffer their talents to the team and then work together to develop and deliver either the positive or negative of a debate topic.

As a result of a cross school collegiate think tank, composed of Year 5 and 6 teachers, from North Cross (Ryde), Oxford Falls Grammar School, Northern Beaches Christian School and ourselves, our purpose was to strengthen the relationship between the schools and to enrich our children in a non-competitive environment. (It was interesting to note the language and attitude of teacher’s, staff and parents was of competing and winning in the lead up to this event).

Four students, Angel, Emily, John and Kingsley, went to Northern Beaches to attend an ‘inter-school debating’ day. Each of us were a little anxious about the day – “Will I prepare well enough?” “Will I speak clearly?” “Will I remember the team line?” Mr Groves assured us though that each of us were more than equipped for the ‘mundane’ task of preparing and presenting a debate topic – even if we were only given 2 hours to prepare.  The more legitimate concern was whether the groups would gel, and how we would go at making friends. Again he assured us that each of us had plenty to offer. 

We arrived first and met the students from NBCS but were soon joined by Oxford Falls and North Cross Schools. Huddled in a room and clearly divided by the uniform we were wearing we waited to be given our topics and our teams. We were divided into four different groups not having two students from the same school in one group.  Some nervous glances around the room told us that we were not the only ones worried about how this experiment in social skills would work.

After a short talk from Mr Cameron of NBCS about how the day would run and some house keeping, the two topics were given: “Too many cooks spoil the broth” and “School uniform should be abolished.” Some smiles began to creep around the room as arguments blossomed in fertile minds. Our groups were given space to work and access to some of the many computers that NBCS is resourced with, and we began. Before we knew it ideas were flying, group members were taking on roles and the debate was taking shape. We were given one and a half hours to finish the debate. After lunch, we started debating.
 
The debate was presented to the year 6 from NBCS. The first debate was “Too many cook spoil the broth” and it was won by John’s team while Kingsley’s team lost by only 1 POINT! The second debate was “School uniform should be abolished”. Again the debate was won by only 1 POINT! This time Angel’s team was victorious although Jess spoke very well in a defeated side.

We rushed back to school ready to catch the buses, however not before we stopped to take a photo and connect once more with the 16 students who transcended the barrier of school uniform for a day to form a Christian community of debating.  We had  taken the challenge, and all of were the better for it.
By Kingsley and John

Note from the teacher: It is true that the children were nervous and excited as they looked forward to Wednesday morning and meeting the students from the other school. However it was great to watch them throw their fear aside as they became engrossed in the task. I took great pleasure in being associated with our students who acquitted themselves so well, not just in the preparation and the debate but also the leadership and membership aspects of a team.

Well done to all.  
 

One Tuesday night in September we arrived at the Belrose Bowling Club for the Belrose Rotary Club Speech Night.  We were warmly greeted by various people and enjoyed dinner and at the side of the room, there stood the stand and the rather long table for the President and other judges. We sat down on a dinner table whilst Terry, the President of the Rotary Speech Night, introduced the evening and other judges.

For my (Angel) speech I talked about ‘What I would do if I was Prime Minister.’ Some of the reasons for my promotion were that I change some laws including increasing the taxes on alcohol and cigarettes.

I (Emily) spoke about ‘What my favourite holiday destination would be.’ My destination was Fiji. I played music for realistic imagination and images of Fiji. I talked about my one week diary at Fiji. One of the many things I would do there is to go snorkelling. 

There were 7 speakers in total, and the winner received additional book vouchers for the school library. All the participants received a book voucher. One of our favourite speeches on the night was a speech on “How to give a bad speech.” We must admit, it was terrible, but indeed very clever!

It was a great night and we are glad to have participated in it.

Angel & Emily (Year 6) 

Below is a report from Kos Psaltis - Rotary's Youth Services Director

A reliable barometer of the quality of guest speakers at meetings is the attentiveness of our members. You could hear a pin drop last week when we were privileged to hear seven Year 6 students deliver their speeches. As in the past, it was a 'feel good' evening. The young people were wonderful ambassadors for their schools - Mimosa Public, Covenant Christian, Wakehurst Public and Belrose Public. This is an important annual event for our club as events like this help nurture youth in becoming good public speakers and, hopefully, one day, some will become Rotarians themselves.

The variety in subject matter made it interesting for the audience. We had everything from holidaying in Fiji to a demonstration of how not to be a public speaker to an aspirational Prime Minister. Environmental and multicultural themes were also included.

It was pleasing to see the participating students supported by their teachers and families and, at the same time, the proceedings were a good advertisement for Belrose Rotary Club and what it stands for. 

Jerry Seinfeld once joked that at a funeral the average person would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy. Although this may seem a little extreme, there’s no doubt, public speaking can be very scary for many people. So, it is extremely impressive when young people are prepared to speak in front of an audience. In the past week, some of Covenant’s finest have done just that. Six students spoke at the United Nations Youth Public Speaking Competition. The event was held Hornsby Council Chambers on Friday 5th September. Our student representatives were James Orban, Mikhaila Smith, Joseph Chen, Jeremiah Hunter, Bethaney Debenham and Madeleine Norris.

The competition required that students present a prepared speech of five minutes and an impromptu speech of two minutes. Covenant speakers spoke very capably on a range of topics from ‘Who has the Right?’  to ‘Our Only Responsibility’. The impromptu topic was ‘The Tangled Web’ and students had just five minutes to prepare their speech before facing the auditorium. The standard was extremely high and our speakers were wonderful. Some speakers touched some very important issues, others prompted fits of laughter. Thanks goes to this group of students who were fabulous ambassadors for the school.

Sam Glassock
English Coordinator

Last week a number of Year 5 Covie students were challenged to debate Oxford Falls, engaging them on two fronts. This was a great time of friendly rivalry and I am pleased to announce that the score ended at one debate apiece. Mario Cheng, Angel Cheung, Kingsley Poon and Tom Holman were the victors on the topic that Noah Should have Killed the Two Mosquitoes, whilst Charlotte Aitken, Emma Higgins, Alex Norris and Sam Watson were narrowly defeated on the topic that Bigger is Better.

It was great fun and we look forward to furthering these opportunities next year. Thanks to all of the parents who assisted with transport and came to support our teams.

Author: Mr Wayne Morton

Three of our very own young and talented were entered by Mrs Glassock’s confidence into the Youth Speak competition initiated by the Rotary club of Frenchs Forest.

The competition required a chairman (Simon Swaddling, Year 9), a main speaker (Chris Wightley,Year 11), and a proposer of thanks (Marleta Fong, Year 11).

There were other schools whose teams had also been selected to participate in the final along with Covenant on Monday 28 May, after qualifying in the first heat the previous week.

Covenant’s participants were at the Forestville RSL Club before any other team, so were able to try out the stage. The Rotary club provided a lovely dinner, which was followed by the team’s presentations.

Finally, after listening to all the other teams, Covenant was called up. Simon comfortably and yet professionally introduced Chris to the audience which allowed them to see him in a personable light. Chris then livened the audience with his natural humour, as he encouraged them to be optimistic, because if ever there was a time to do so, it is now! He challenged them to try, as he himself would, too.

Marleta then adequately thanked Chris, expressed the relevance of the topic and thanked the Rotary Club of Frenchs Forest, District Governor Pam, President Denis, Chairman Jan and all those involved for their efforts, time, and presence there. She then asked all to stand, and put their hands together for Chris.

The Covenant team didn’t win, but there was a ‘silver lining’, and that was that they were able to represent Covenant as a very down to earth, personable and talented school. This came across in their dress, behaviour and presentation. There was a ‘standing ovation’ of a truly fantastic presentation, in which the decider of the competition was only one point difference. Covenant closely lost to Brigidine.

Congratulations to Simon, Chris, and Marleta for an outstanding effort and achievement. Thank you also to Mrs Glassock for your time and effort in nurturing and giving these young people the opportunity to share their talents in a more open way.  

Marleta Fong (Year 11)

At 4.00pm on Tuesday 27 March, the Covenant participants in the Rostrum Voice of Youth Competition arrived at St Mary’s Cathedral College. Their purpose? To speak for between five and eight minutes on one of eight possible topics. Their arrival was the culmination of hours, days and weeks of preparation and refining which produced accomplished and original speeches on topics as diverse as “A measure of intelligence” and “Now is the hour”, providing a rich base for exploration of both contemporary concerns and age old issues.

The band of speakers found that giving the speeches was easy compared to dealing with the heady cocktail of deadlines, awkward sentences that required editing, and surviving a trip into the city in the company of their teachers.

The standard of competition was fierce and it was interesting to hear other speakers who came from all over the district. The Covenant speakers (Chris Wightley, Marco Setiadi, Dean Jessep, Lauren Bothma, Matthew Walter, James Orban, Cara Petrovski and Ian Wright) competed with vigour, and were appreciative of the opportunity to contribute to such a worthwhile public forum with their peers.

Special congratulations go to Marco Setiadi who was runner up in his heat. The students were accompanied by Mrs Glassock and Mrs Bootes.

Dean Jessep (Year 11)

On Tuesday evening 16 very keen secondary students graduated from the Speaking Confidently and Leadership Course. This is the fourth year that Covenant has held this course as an extra curricular activity. The program is designed to develop skills in communication and leadership and has been running for the past six weeks. Students gained skills in memory recall, thinking clearly, listening effectively, talking with confidence and self-esteem was raised.