VPHS
Toastmasters
Back Row: Jason McClelland, Sashin du Randt, Corrie van Rensburg, Bruce Kolbe
Middle Row: Kirstie Steineveldt, Amber Drahota, Chelsea Gardner, Kerryn Daines, Kristen Perils, Gianna Rizzo
Front Row: Lutholwethu Tshume, Michelle Stockwell, Olwethu Mbane, Mr Barry, Phumela Matshaya, Samantha
Sosora, Jacqui Stockwell
had to make some difficult decisions. Eventually it
was down to the top seven to battle it out for the title
of Top Toastmaster. The finalists were, in no particular order: Jason McClelland, Kathleen Nowers,
Kristen Perils, Sashin du Randt, Samantha Sosara,
Jacqui Stockwell and Bruce Kolbe. Jason McClelland took top honours, and for this he represented Victoria Park at the Inter-Schools Toastmasters
Competition, which took place on the 25 September
2014.
For the first time in 8 years we have had fewer than
the maximum number of learners taking part in
Toastmasters. Usually there is an over-subscription
to Toastmasters at Victoria Park High School. This
year has been different in a number of ways.
Firstly as I have mentioned, the smaller number
than usual deciding to do Toastmasters. Secondly,
more than usual, the numbers doing Toastmasters,
explaining that they were afraid of speaking publicly. This in itself is not unusual, as statistically it has
been shown that public speaking rates only second
to the fear of death as a stressor in life.
Our graduation dinner was well organised and our
guest speaker was Gino Fabbri, who is a past learner at the school. He kept us well entertained while
delivering a message about being authentic while
doing public speaking.
Having said that, the learners applied themselves
very admirably amongst the other extra-mural activities that take place at our busy school. Speeches
were made and evaluated. Educational topics were
given and meetings were run, all of which constitutes a normal Youth Leadership Programme.
Speeches were of a very high quality and it can be
declared that the Youth Leadership development has
been a success as it has been every year. I look forward to seeing many of these learners influence, impact and persuade those in their areas of expertise.
Then we always have the speech competition
amongst the learners and here there were many finalists but we normally only take the top 10. However, due to many pupils getting votes, the advisors
Mr Mark Barry
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