2025 Celebration of Public Speaking by Loreto Toorak

Celebration of Public Speaking 2025

Alexander Goldsworthy Director of Programs

Our Celebration of Public Speaking was a fitting conclusion to an inspiring year of public speaking and oration at Loreto Toorak. The evening brought together the achievements of our students across Public Speaking, Debating, and Voice & Speech, recognising not only individual award winners and teams, but also the growth, confidence, and sincerity that each participant has demonstrated throughout the year.

At Loreto Toorak, we believe that developing a strong, authentic voice is central to education. Public Speaking and Debating provide students with the opportunity to test ideas, sharpen their thinking, and express themselves with clarity, courage, and conviction. Voice & Speech nurtures presence and confidence, empowering students to communicate with both skill and authenticity in every setting. Together, these programs form a cornerstone of our broader mission to develop confident, articulate young women who will contribute meaningfully to their communities.

We warmly acknowledge the dedication of our Head of Public Speaking, coaches and student leaders, whose guidance and encouragement make such a diverse range of opportunities possible. We also congratulate every student who has stepped up to speak, debate, or perform this year. Their commitment to preparation, their willingness to support one another, and their courage in facing an audience exemplify the very best of Loreto Toorak.

This year, the spirit of verity has been at the heart of every performance - students speaking with sincerity, honesty, and purpose. Families and staff alike can be proud of the remarkable progress achieved, and of the lifelong skills developed through these programs.

Katie Macleish Head of Public Speaking

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who at the best knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Theodore Roosevelt

This year 150 debaters and another 100 Voice & Speech and Public Speaking students chose to step into the arena and participate in the myriad events offered to them throughout the year. The Public Speaking awards celebrate the challenges that they elected to accept in the pursuit of developing their skills through their participation. Fail or succeed, whatever the outcome, it is always worthwhile to be able to say, “I tried”.

It is my privilege to guide and support Loreto Toorak’s Public Speaking students and I would like to acknowledge the courage of them all, who through ‘trying’, have a greater understanding of who they are and what they are capable of.

Felicia Du Public Speaking Captain

As the 2025 Public Speaking and Debating Captain, I have had the privilege of taking on the many opportunities offered through this leadership position. One of the most rewarding parts of this role has been supporting younger debaters and public speakers, whether it be offering feedback after a practise debate, encouraging students before a competition, or sharing a tip that once helped me. To have been part of their public speaking journey, to have seen the growth of so many students firsthand, through opportunities such as the DAV competitions and public speaking competitions, is a definite highlight of my time at Loreto Toorak.

One of the most exciting parts of this year was the Spelling Bee, organised with St Kevin’s College. As Year 12 students from both schools competed in front of crowds of excited students for the title of spelling bee champion, there were moments of tension, laughter and plenty of friendly rivalry. We ultimately came to a tie; the perfect way to end this event.

This season has been filled with achievements across every grade, but I want to acknowledge the D Grade Team 2, coached by Clare Tuckwell (2024), who made it all the way to the power pairs and gave an outstanding effort right through to their final debate.

Personally, public speaking has been more than a skill. It has given me the courage to express myself as an individual, to stand and share my ideas openly, to use my voice. The many hours of debating rounds, competitions and lessons, the wins and losses, have given me chances to improve and hone my skills, shaping the speaker I am today.

Ultimately, public speaking is a skill that goes far beyond the classroom. It is about preparing for life. In a world where communication is highly valued, our ability to express ourselves will be one of our greatest strengths. Mary Ward believed that ‘women in time will come to do much’, and as Loreto women, our words have the power to inspire, to challenge, and to create change, whether in our communities, schools, or the wider world.

Andrea Dayrit Head of Junior Debating

I am honoured to have served as the Head of Junior Debating for this year. Debating has been a huge part of my own school journey: from my first online debate during COVID, to learning the thrill of rebuttals, to eventually finding my own voice. Stepping into this leadership role was so meaningful for me. It gave me the chance to give back, to pass on the skills, the encouragement, and yes, sometimes the pep talks that others once gave me.

It was such a privilege to help run the Years 7 and 8 Debating Program throughout this year. As part of my role, I had the responsibility of leading training sessions and coaching for the junior debaters, being both a guide and a role model as they developed their skills. This program introduced many to the world of debating: the art of crafting speeches, getting used to fast-paced rebuttals, and the joy of sharpening skills while working across different friendship groups.

Our junior debaters had the chance to engage in numerous debates, facing off against both local and inter-school opponents, debating in Loreto Toorak, Melbourne Grammar School, and Xavier College. Each debate was not only a challenge but also an opportunity to grow in confidence, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Additionally, one of the highlights of the year was our annual Teacher vs Student Debate, which we organised to bring the School community together in a spirit of fun and friendly competition. This event always proves to be a crowd favourite - with this year’s topic contending for the introduction of nap time at school. Although the teachers put up a strong fight, I think we can all agree the students may have had the upper hand!

As written by Carl Buehner, “They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” As I step down from this role, I am confident our junior debaters will continue to achieve great things in debating and beyond.