Over the past few weeks, the middle school has been very busy as learners have been working hard on their speech writing. This exciting learning experience supported learners to develop their skills in oral language, writing, and presenting, while also growing their confidence and wellbeing.
The process began with learners planning their speeches, carefully choosing topics they were passionate about. With teacher support, they learned how to structure their ideas, creating engaging introductions, well-organised main points, and powerful conclusions. Practising their delivery was just as important as writing – learners worked on expression, pace, volume, and body language to ensure their message connected with their audience.
This learning linked closely with MITEY. Through preparing and delivering their speeches, learners were encouraged to express their thoughts, explore their emotions, and develop resilience. Standing up in front of others to share an idea takes courage, and the process provided meaningful opportunities for learners to grow their self-belief and empathy while listening to and respecting the voices of others.
The excitement grew as speeches were presented in class. Each learner had the opportunity to share their ideas with their peers, and from there, two finalists were selected from each room to represent their class in the Middle School Speech Finals.
The finals were a true celebration of creativity, courage, and connection. There was a wonderful variety of topics, reflecting the unique interests and passions of our learners. Finalists spoke about themes such as Girls in Sport, Chameleons, Dance, Space, and even Balloon Art! The range of topics kept the audience entertained and engaged throughout and provided insight into what matters most to our learners.
Parents and whānau were invited to come along and watch their children deliver their speeches, making the event a special community celebration. The standard of speeches was exceptionally high, with many learners showing impressive confidence and skill.
The day was filled with pride, excitement, and celebration as we acknowledged the hard work and dedication of all our middle school learners. By combining speech writing with MITEY principles, our learners not only built their public speaking skills but also strengthened their wellbeing and sense of belonging. Public speaking is a powerful lifelong skill, and this experience has given our learners tools, confidence, and resilience they will carry forward into future learning and life.
