Heathfield Community College was proudly represented at the Old Market in Brighton on Wednesday 29 June for the Speakers Trust Sussex Speak Out final, a regional Public Speaking Competition held by the national recognised charity working with young people to become “effective communicators and to use their voices to effect change” .
Hivda Aydogan and Adam Toogood both in Year 10 represented the College having been selected after a workshop led by the trust in College as two of the top four out of the 30 Prefect applicants who took part. Hivda and Adam then went on to perform in front of their whole year group along with Michael Youannou and Blake Nunn who had been very highly praised by the trainers and Mr Hatchard and Ms Taylor.
At the final following an afternoon of preparation and speech refinement Adam, (referred to by some audience members on the night as the Peoples’ Champion!) spoke with incisive wit and political knowledge on the topic of ‘Why is Boris Johnson our Prime Minister?’ Hivda’s speech which she impressively only penned after the news from America over the weekend, was about the Roe vs Wade judgement. It was a compelling contention, culminating with the robust and redoubtable challenge that no one should ‘take women on’.
The 7 experienced public speaking judges of the Sussex final included the Mayor of Brighton, an established practising Family Law barrister and the Head of Brighton’s Student Council. We are delighted to report that Hivda was pronounced the winner and is the Sussex Public Speaking Youth Champion.
Headteacher Caroline Barlow expressed the pride held by all at the College, “we try to encourage students to find their voice and to be able to articulate themselves at the highest levels. Both Hivda and Adam manifested those skills in abundance showing confidence and determination as well as excellent understanding, confidence and oracy. It is impressive that Hivda’s response to very current affairs was so compelling and rightly rewarded so highly. They will both be able to go forward in the knowledge that their skills have been recognised and rewarded at the highest level in Sussex. We are very proud of them both.”
