Rubi (Year 10) on the Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge
In my opinion, Jack Petchey was an experience that allowed me to re-evaluate the importance of public speaking and communication in our daily lives.
At the beginning of the workshop, we were asked to place ourselves at a number from 1 through to 10 (1 being not confident in speaking to an audience, 10 being confident). I placed myself at a 5. Whilst I found I would speak publicly if asked to, my preference was against.
This drastically changed, however, over the course of the workshop. Through engaging stories that allowed me to connect with my friends in different ways whilst also developing my confidence, I was able to eventually deliver a short speech, a feat that at the start of the day I thought would be impossible.
I think that the experience, even if I do not progress through the competition further, will result in further participation in public speaking events. I was grateful to be given the opportunity.
Notice: Electra (Year 11), as last year’s runner up, has been invited to join the judging panel for this year’s Wandsworth Regional Final competition on 19th March 2024 at Ashcroft Technology Academy. Congratulations Electra!