SpeakOut Challenge

Public speaking is ranked as the second biggest fear in the UK. It is a task that can turn nerves of the firmest steel to the wobbliest of jellies. On Tuesday 6th June, Year 10 student Prisca Mbindu stepped confidently onto the stage for the SpeakOut Challenge, hosted by the Speaker’s Trust. After hosting a public speaking workshop at school and submitting her speech online, Prisca made it to the final fifteen contestants, out of eight hundred and fifty students across Birmingham and Coventry.

Her speech, Ketchup Soup, was a passionate, thought-provoking look into homelessness, and its effects on society. Written independently, it wowed the crowd and the judges, brilliantly mixing humour with a heartfelt message of respect and consideration for others.

With fifteen contestants, each with their own outstanding speech, the judges were hard pressed to choose winners. However, choose they did, and The Right Worshipful, The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Chaman Lal awarded Prisca the third-place trophy.

As a school, we are always immensely proud of the hard work and dedication shown by our students, showcased through opportunities such as the SpeakOut Challenge.

A massive congratulations to Prisca, for her bravery, hard work, and determination!

 If you would like to see the speeches, you can find them here on the Speaker’s Trust YouTube channel.