Youth Speaks District Final (22 March 2014)

GRAMMAR STUDENTS TALK THEIR WAY TO SUCCESS

Three students from Guernsey Grammar travelled to Hampshire this weekend and were awarded with success at the district heats of a national public speaking completion. Our young Guernsey speakers were competing against stiff opposition form 7 other schools drawn from across the Southern Counties of the mainland, each a winner of their own local competitions.

The team comprised chairman, Helena de Carteret, main speaker, Douglas Craig and Jordan Linton who proposed the vote of thanks. Their presentation entitled "Down the rabbit hole" drew on quotes form Lewis Carroll's famous novel to expound their views on the opportunities to improve upon a strictly curriculum driven educational system. The talk was summed up by the organizers a being a "superlative performance and a joy to listen to."

Simon Milsted, Chairman of Guernsey's Rotary Club Youth Opportunities Committee, who accompanied the team over to the mainland said, "it is an absolute pleasure for our Club to be involved in an initiative that encourages the development of essential life skills in our young people.  Our particular thanks must go to local advocates, Mourant Ozannes, who continue to offer sponsorship to the team as they move through the heats."

Jessica Roland, senior partner of Mourant Ozannes' Guernsey Office added  "these young speakers are a fine example of the talent and potential that exists in our next generation here on the Island. We are very pleased to play our part in helping them move forward in this major national competition and complement the teaching staff and coaches who have assisted the students gain such success."

The Grammar's winning team is pictured with the David Harrison JP, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, who presented the award. They now go forward to the regional heat of the competition that will be held in Exeter on 5 April.