On Tuesday 11 February three of our year 10 girls: Clodagh Maher, Eva Shearer, and Emma Murphy made history in Public Speaking.

The girls, all from 10F, became the first team from Aquinas to enter The Irish Federation of University Women Public Speaking Competition for aged under 15. It took place in the salubrious surroundings of Queen’s University Canada Room, and was adjudicated by ladies from The Federation.

The girls, who were required to prepare six topics between them in advance, had to construct and deliver a two minute speech on a focused aspect of one of their topics. Clodagh chose ‘Why there should be more happy stories in the News’ from her category; Eva chose ‘Litter’ from the theme of Environment, and Emma’s topic from Education was ‘Exams are unfair.’

The competitors from the seven participating schools had 30 minutes to compose the content of their extempore speeches, and then it was time to deliver! Aquinas was first to take to the lectern. Clodagh, Eva and Emma mastered their nerves, grasped their cue cards and regaled a packed Canada room of parents, adjudicators, teachers and fellow speakers with their 2 minute speeches delivered beautifully and professionally. The photographs show the team with their certificates following a very positive and encouraging adjudication.

 

Well done Clodagh, Eva and Emma for acquitting yourselves with mature and with clever speeches any woman would do well to match!

public speaking 2014