This half term saw the third edition of Dunottar School’s annual Speak Out Challenge. Every pupil in Year 11 presents, as part of their GCSE English Language course, on a subject of their own choice. Pupils are rewarded for speaking with confidence, on challenging topics, and using a repertoire of well-selected linguistic and rhetorical techniques. The very best pupils are invited to compete for the school’s annual public speaking competition – and this year the competition was particularly keen.
The event saw pupils speak on a genuinely diverse range of subjects. The apparent catastrophe of Brexit; the need for equality in women’s sports; the lessons we can learn from Disney; the need to cancel Cancel Culture – all of these were explored in speeches that were original, thoughtful, well-researched and delivered with aplomb to an appreciative audience of staff and pupils. Mr Broughton had an unenviable job in selecting a winner and a runner-up. Tallulah W was awarded the second place prize for her talk on the holistic benefits and many joys of dancing; Will K was the overall victor with a talk on the value of insects and how such humble creatures are the foundations of biodiversity and a key part of life on this earth.
Next year, the English Department would like to see this event expanding into an evening event that parents will have the chance to attend. The ability to speak well in public is a key life skill, the keystone for many careers – and Dunottar pupils have ideas worth listening to! So watch this space . . .