non palma sine pulvere

The KLB School Public Speaking Team

December 2000 news update:

At the annual English Speaking Union Public Speaking Competition preliminary round held at Gordano School, Portishead, on Tuesday 28 November, the KLB team consisting of Francesca Cassidy-Taylor (Chair), Laura Dudbridge (Speaker) and Michael Goff (Questioner) opposed the topic: 'More can be learned from History than from the present'.

Laura spoke powerfully and convincingly, earning herself the 'best speaker' award and was ably supported by both Francesca and Michael. Francesca kindly deputised for Emily Mansfield who was indisposed due to appearing in the school production of 'Guys and Dolls'. The team have qualified for the Finals to be held at Clifton College on 17 January 2001 where the topic will be: 'We cannot live without Soap Opera'.

June 2000 news update:

On Friday 16 June, the year 7 team participated in the National Finals of the Allied Schools Public Speaking competition held at Riddlesworth Hall School, an idyllic Georgian Manor House set in wonderful grounds, in Diss, near Norwich. (Diana Spencer's old school)!
The team, consisted of Luke Hanratty (Chair), Michael Juniper (Speaker) and Nick Simmons (Proposer of the Vote of Thanks). Michael spoke knowledgeably and convincingly about their chosen topic 'Aid to other Countries Should be Conditional' revealing his impressive research skills and ability to construct a powerful argument.

Although they did not win, their performance, as the youngest team by far, was creditable. Luke was runner up Chair, trailing the winner by only one point and Michael was commanded for his courage. The whole team deserve congratulations for their hard work.
The winning team of year 9 girls from St. Felix CEVC Middle School (South-east Regional Winners), as one would expect at National level, performed superbly on their subject 'School days'.
The long journey (10 hours travelling time) was far from wasted as the first hand experience was valuable for the KLB team, not least for the learning opportunity provided in witnessing such a high standard of Public Speaking, which will doubtless help them in the future.

At the KLB/Rednock/Cotswold Tyndale and Dursley Rotary Clubs combined Junior (Years 7-9) Public Speaking competition held at KLB on Thursday 9 March, the overall winners were a Year 7 team.
Luke Hanratty (Chair), Michael Juniper (Speaker) and Nick Simmons (Proposer of the vote of thanks) worked well together as a team on their chosen topic of 'TV is a Bad Influence'. Data for their talk was gathered from questionnaires, which they prepared and distributed to all tutor groups and staff in the school. Michael presented the topic maturely and convincingly.

The winners of the Year 8 age group were KLB's Rebecca Davies (Chair) Danielle Smyth (Speaker) and Abigail Williams (Proposer) with their eloquent deliberations on the their subject 'Have you killed a tree today?' Rednock's entry consisting of Michael Pullin (Chair) Phillippa Harrop (Speaker) and Jennie Coles (Proposer) were the overall year 9 winners. The standard of speaking from all competitors was high and the maturity of topics chosen indicated that young people of today do care very much about the future.

As a result of their win, the KLB year 7 team went on to compete in the Allied Schools Regional Competition held at Westonbirt School on Monday 20 March. As the youngest team out of 12 teams consisting of mainly Year 9 students, they were undaunted and went on to win that event as well with an embellished version of the same Speech. Their spectacular win has earned them a place in the National finals of this prestigious Competition to be held in June (date to be advised) in Norwich.

A Senior KLB/Balcarras/Cotswold Tyndale/Sunhill Rotary Club combined Competition will be held at KLB on Thursday evening, 13 April. The KLB winning teams from this event will be prepared for the English Speaking Union Competition during the Autumn term.

This year we are holding two public speaking competitions.

Junior Event Thursday 9th March 7-9pm with Rednock School, two teams from Years 7, 8 and 9. This event is sponsored by Cotswold Tyndale Rotary Club who provide refreshments, trophies and prizes

Senior Event with Balcarris School is on Thursday 13th April, 7-9pm. Sponsored by Cotswold Tyndale Rotary and Sunshine Clubs, and again we are providing trophies and prizes.

The winners of the Junior event will go forward to the Allied Schools public speaking competition at Westonbirt on Monday 20th March.

December 1999 news update:

After last year's success of the KLB Public Speaking team in the English Speaking Union National Competition, where they were winners of the Bristol Final and runners up in the Regional finals, this year's team are following hotly in their footsteps by achieving second place in the first round of the 1999/2000 Competition held at Cotham School on Wednesday 24^th November.

The team consisted of Kate Riches, Year 11 as Chair; Emily Mansfield, Year 10 as Speaker and Michael Goff, Year 10 as Questioner.

Their topic was "The More I Look at the World, the more I love my Dog'. Emily spoke eloquently, confidently and convincingly about the evils of mankind versus the virtues of 'Man's best friend' and Kate played an impressively supportive role.

Michael was attached to the St. George's Community School team where he proved himself to be an able questioner.

The trio has gained a place in the Bristol final, where if they are successful, will earn themselves a place in the Regional finals. Their topic is "Business Fat Cats should go on a Diet!'