Public Speaking

Did you know that public speaking is considered to be one of the most terrifying experiences known to humanity? How many times have you experienced that gut-wrenching feeling of standing before your peers in the English classroom, knees knocking and teeth chattering – cringing at the prospect of delivering your 3.00 min. flat speech entitled “The sleeping habits of the south island possum”? Well, fear not my friend, for help is close at hand with the HBHS Public Speaking Club.

The ability to speak in public with confidence, clarity and with a captivating style is one of the most important skills you can develop in life. There will come a time in your life, no doubt, when you will be called upon to “say a few words” – the after match rugby function, your daughter’s wedding, a farewell to a colleague. Whatever the occasion, at HBHS we encourage public speaking at all levels of the curriculum, and speech-making has also become an important part of the co-curricular life of the school.

At the school level, students are invited to participate in the school’s junior and senior speech competitions. Entry is via their placings in the English inter-class competitions, and the finalists perform in front of large audiences in the hall or library. The school also encourages speakers to participate in contests beyond the school environment.