On Tuesday 31st January, pupils from St Thomas More Catholic School competed in the Haringey Regional Finals of Jack Petchey’s ‘Speak Out’ Challenge, with Lin Ly, Year 10, scooping top prize! Lin Ly impressed the judges with her winning speech ‘Flopped’ fighting off stiff competition from 16 other young speakers from schools in the Haringey area.
Asked about the experience she said, ‘I feel very relieved I was able to make it through to Regional Finals and actually win 1st place’. Congratulations must also go to Claudyne Small, Year 10, for coming fourth with her beautifully delivered speech ‘Bashing’.
Lin Ly’s public performance was voted on by an independent judging panel comprising of Des Fahy, Detective Superintendent (Metropolitan Police); Pam Oparaocha (Station Manager, London Fire Brigade); Benjamin Tansey (Elliot Advisors); Reen Polonsky (Head of Project Grants JPF); Cindy Rampersand (Trustee, Speakers Trust); James Scott (Education Correspondent, Ham and High) and Lanya Matthews (Third Place Finalist, JPSOC Haringey Final 2016).
The pupils involved gave up their free time to practice and perfect their speeches which showed their dedication and commitment to the competition, leading to Lin Ly becoming the 2016-17 Haringey Regional winner. Ms Agostini, Teacher of English, who organised our pupils’ participation in the challenge, said, ‘The Speak Out Challenge is more than just a competition it is an experience that builds character and confidence in all students who take part. Lin Ly’s hard work paid off and I could not be more proud of what she has gone on to achieve’.
Lin Ly’s winning performance can be viewed through the following link: https://youtu.be/1fwnXqzWL5Y
