On another very warm evening on 18th June Soroptimist International of King’s Lynn was very pleased to host at The College of West Anglia the Fifteenth Public Speaking Competition for Primary
Schools in King’s Lynn and surrounding area.
We were delighted to welcome teams from 12 schools in the area.
The teams had to choose from a list of a 6 topics to speak on: –
- With all the information we need on our phones/tablets/computers, do we still need libraries, such as the new one built in King’s Lynn?
- In Scotland the voting age has been lowered from 18 to 16. Are children really mature enough at that age to take on this responsibility?
- King’s Lynn is often seen as dull and uninteresting. How would you improve the town’s image?
- “I love you to the moon and back” became literally true for the family of astronaut Jeremy Hansen. However, in the current economic climate, how can the cost be justified?
- Australia raised its age limit to 16 for children to have a Facebook account. Should the UK follow suit?
- Are School Councils really of benefit and do the teachers really listen to the views of the children?
The arguments presented by all the teams were excellent, making a hard task for the 3 judges, Gill Rejzl Chair of The College of West Anglia Governors, Tracee Findlater local author and Kerry Heathcote – Deputy CEO/Vice Principal of The College of West Anglia.
Andrea Pearson, the club member who organised the event, advised “not surprisingly the most popular topic was libraries, with all the teams who spoke on the topic agreeing we still need libraries as they provide so much more than what can be found on our phone/tablets.”
The prizes for the winning teams were presented by The Mayor of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Councillor Steve Bearshaw: –
Third place – North Wootton Academy
Second place – Snettisham Primary School
First place – West Lynn Primary School
The winners all received medals with the first place also being presented with the Benita Hayne’s Trophy.
Certificates were presented to all the pupils who had taken part in the competition.
It was a wonderful event, and the Soroptimist members are grateful to the support provided by The Mayor of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Councillor Steve Bearshaw and Mayoress Marisol Bearshaw, The College of West Anglia for providing the venue, the judges and not least the schools that took part.