School team set for final test (From Wiltshire Times)

School team set for final test

9:04am Monday 12th March 2007

• Print
• Email
• Share

A PUBLIC speaking team from a Melksham school will compete in a regional final in Southampton on Saturday after success in qualifying.

The George Ward School team of Year 10 students came second in the area finals of the competition, recently held at Kings Edward School, Bath.

The area final included teams from Wiltshire, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Dorset.

The pupils have beaten around 80 other teams from schools across the area to earn their place in the regional final.

They enthralled the audience and judges with their speech entitled Clintonmania: is this the next card invasion? The speech focused on the over commercialisation of our daily lives and the increasing need to send cards for every occasion.

The team consisting of James Reid (chairperson), Stephanie Parkin (speaker) and Emma Winkworth (proposer of the vote of thanks) have been rehearsing their performance since Christmas.

As well as winning second place, Stephanie Parkin was awarded the prize for Best Speaker.

Steve Clark, head teacher at The George Ward School said: "We are tremendously proud of what these students have achieved, they are wonderful ambassadors for our school."

A group of supporters will be following their success to Southampton to help boost confidence as this stage of the competition is due to be televised.

• Print
• Email
• Share