The annual Small Schools Public Speaking competition was held at Sacred Heart Primary School.
Approximately 140 students from four different schools in the region; Curlewis Public School, Mullaley Public School, Boggabri Public School, and Sacred Heart Boggabri competed in the competition, bravely standing in front of their peers, and delivering articulate and well researched topics from ChatGPT, controlling carp populations and the tooth fairy.
Students in kindergarten, Years 1 and 2 all competed in prepared speeches and Years 3-6 competed in prepared speeches with the option to also compete in an impromptu speech competition.
“This annual event is a fantastic opportunity for students to participate in public speaking, and it was great to see so many students participate in both sections,” teacher and organiser Ms Tahlia Morrissey said.
The Year 5 and 6 impromptu section had more than 40 students participate.
Adjudicators for the Wednesday event were Merryl Hennessy, Terry Curran, Maree Nott and Eliza Gallen.
The event was sponsored by Boggabri Rotary who provided prizes and lunch, and many hands also came together, such as the Sacred Heart PTF who assisted with the morning tea stall, and a Gunnedah supermarket donating milk for the coffee van.
“Without a competition like this one, students would not be provided an opportunity to show off their public speaking skills and the community is extremely thankful for Boggabri Rotary’s continued sponsorship of the event,” Ms Morrissey said.
“We look forward to seeing all participants at next year’s public speaking event.
“Congratulations to all students who competed. What an amazing effort you all put in and you should all be very proud of yourselves.”
The results are as follows: Kindergarten – 1st – Harry Bell (Mullaley PS), 2nd – Rosabella Hyatt (Boggabri PS), 3rd – Hayley Crumbley (Mullaley PS).
Highly commended – Alexis Swain (Sacred Heart Boggabri), Chloe Sheumack-Botfield (Boggabri PS).
Year 1 – 1st – Frank Plevey (Sacred Heart), 2nd – Toby Hobden (Boggabri PS), 3rd – Indianah Hill-Smith (Sacred Heart).
Highly commended – Aleah Crowley (Sacred Heart), Ricky Tailby-Schuemack (Mullaley PS).
Year 2 – 1st – Rex Plevey (Sacred Heart), 2nd – Elsie Groves (Sacred Heart), 3rd-Lucy Newton (Boggabri PS), highly commended – Anna Bradford (Mullaley PS).
Year 3 – 1st – Aiden Domin (Sacred Heart), 2nd – Jazmin Lever (Boggabri PS), 3rd – Cruze Turner (Boggabri PS).
Year 4 – 1st – Ben Bell (Mullaley PS), 2nd – Tayla Thompson (Boggabri PS), 3rd – Lachlan Stone (Boggabri PS).
Highly commended – Tom Bradford (Mullaley PS), Beau Hobden (Boggabri PS), Rivah Bell (Boggabri PS).
Year 5 – 1st – Tom Bell (Mullaley PS), 2nd – Grace Nobilo (Boggabri PS), 3rd- Lucy Furner (Sacred Heart).
Highly commended – Alekai Denning (Mullaley PS), Emily Valks (Sacred Heart).
Year 6 – 1st – Evie Watt (Sacred Heart), 2nd- Molly Murphy (Sacred Heart), 3rd – Jack Bomford (Boggabri PS).
Highly commended – Xanthia Watson (Sacred Heart), Jackson Firth (Mullaley PS).
Impromptu – Year 3/4 – 1st – Aiden Domin (Sacred Heart), 2nd – Tom Bradford (Mullaley PS), 3rd- Ben Bell (Mullaley PS).
Year 5/6 – 1st – Evie Watt (Sacred Heart), 2nd – Jack Bomford (Boggabri PS), 3rd – Clara Bradford (Mullaley PS).
Highly commended – Emily Valks (Sacred Heart), Tom Bell (Mullaley PS), Gian Mendoza (Sacred Heart).
