Another excellent Baroness Brigstocke Memorial Public Speaking Competition took place on Wednesday 1 July. Experienced and novice public speakers alike represented their houses, took to the stage, and demonstrated outstanding confidence and clear purpose in their speeches.
In the junior competition, teams had only ten minutes to prepare before debating unseen motions. In the first round, Carrington speakers Alyosha and Oishani in Lower IV put forward strong arguments in support of the motion that AI can replace teachers successfully. Representing Paget, Sophia and Jessica in Lower IV opposed the motion clearly and concisely. In the second round, Ducat speakers Lara in Lower IV and Svea in Upper III argued persuasively that technology is killing conversation. Representing Kensington, Aadhya and Vamika in Lower IV focused instead on the benefits of technology. Two more rounds ensued as students debated whether exams are the best way of testing achievement and whether money is the root of all evil. All four teams demonstrated outstanding courage and considerable skill. In the end, Paget was victorious.
The senior competition featured prepared speeches. Led by talented chairpersons, each team presented arguments for and against a motion of their choosing. Carrington spoke first and chairperson Evie in Lower V, who is new to public speaking, deftly guided the conversation. Public speaking veterans Janani in Lower IV and Gabrielle in Lower V delivered powerful speeches exploring the topic.
Kensington spoke next. Chairperson Jinxin in Upper IV did an excellent job introducing the motion that social media should be banned for under 16s. The entire Kensington team was new to public speaking. Both Hannah and Jiya in Upper IV delivered clear and compelling speeches and also coped well with a tricky question.
Next up was Paget’s team. All three members had extensive public speaking experience, which they demonstrated as they debated the benefits and potential risks of believing in the tooth fairy. Chairperson Krisha won the prize for best chairperson and guided the debate with poise and humour. Poet laureate Ellanya in Lower V focused on the whimsy and magic of the tooth fairy while Nikita in Lower V, who won the prize for best opposition speaker, focused instead on the ethics of lying to children.
Last, but certainly not least, Ducat took the stage. Ducat’s team also included three experienced public speakers. Chairperson Shriya in Lower V introduced the motion that improving youth optimism is the best thing we can do in society clearly and effectively. Matilda in Lower V, who won the prize for best proposition speaker, spoke without notes and made effective and insightful arguments. In response, Anshula in Lower V focused on the risks of wishful thinking and the necessity of taking action.
As we waited for the judges to complete their deliberations, Abbey students bravely took to the stage to deliver impromptu thirty second speeches on random topics ranging from potatoes and birds to chairs and elbows.
Ultimately, Paget prevailed in the senior competition, overcoming stiff competition from the other Houses.
The wonderful Ms Quant, who has run public speaking at the Abbey with enthusiasm and skill, is retiring at the end of this term. We wish her all the best in her retirement and also hope she will return next year as a judge so we can continue to benefit from her expertise.
Congratulations to all students who took part in the event: speaking in front of a crowd is no easy task and every student demonstrated exceptional courage and considerable skill. We hope to see both public speaking veterans and newcomers defending motions and rebutting arguments again next year.
A few students were asked to summarise their experience in the competition this year. Here is what they wrote:
“Brigstocke this year was incredibly impressive with all of the teams bringing creativity, confidence and thoughtful arguments to the stage. All in all, it was an incredibly fun experience with a wonderful cohort and debates that were testament to all the skills we have learned over the last few years!” – Nikita, Lower V
“This competition has always been such an incredible experience and it has helped me develop my confidence, teamwork, and public speaking skills, which I will definitely implement in the future.” – Krisha, Lower V
“I’m so so so astronomically proud of my team and the amount I’ve grown over this year; from Rotary to ESU to Brigstocke, it’s always a great day to be a #PagetPublicSpeaker!” – Ellanya, Lower V
