Taking a Stand

Out of a field of almost 1,000 competitors, Head Prefect (2022 - 2023) Jemima Carmody (Year 11) reached the national finals of the Rostrum Voice of Youth in July. Her prepared speech ‘War is not the Answer’, posed questions about the global community’s response to what she believes is an overwhelming dysfunction, instability and conflict in the world, and the media’s tendency to heighten polarisation and division. “Words are the most powerful thing we have and learning to wield them is invaluable and incredible,” she says. Amelie Potts (Year 9) reached the State Finals of the contest, despite never having competed in public speaking before. “I actually didn’t know I was capable of public speaking because I had only ever done debating,” she says. “You have to speak to such a large audience, so I was nervous but I discovered it requires many of the same skills as debating and the topics were very broad, so I could focus on things I had experienced personally.”

The Schools Debating Network competition was a triumph for Wenona in September, with three out of our four teams winning their grand final debates. “Each student competed with outstanding eloquence and showed intelligence and dedication throughout the season,” says Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator Ms Lydia Parker. “We could not be prouder of them.”

In October, 25 Wenona students participated in the Independent Girls’ Schools Association (IGSA) Festival of Speech, sharing their skills in categories such as Debating, Poetry, Current Affairs, and Public Speaking. The School achieved second overall in Junior Poetry and second overall in Senior Public Speaking. “It was an amazing achievement as they were up against so many talented speakers,” Ms Parker says.