On Monday, 2 September, two Catholic school students, Aquin Rony (Year 6) from Sacred Heart Primary School, Pearce and Fletcher Allan (Year 6) from St Monica’s Primary School, Evatt were awarded first and second place at the 45th Rostrum Primary Schools Speaking Competition.

Dorothy Hine, co-founder of the PSSC presented the winner, Aquin, with the Ken Fry Shield and the school also received a perpetual trophy. As the runner up, Fletcher was presented with the Warren Hine Memorial Trophy.

The grand final comprised of eight finalists and four reserves, who each prepared a four minute speech on a preselected topic. Both Aquin and Fletcher presented speeches on the topic ‘To climb or not to climb’.

Mylee Taylor from St Joseph’s Primary School, Boorowa was a reserve on the night and delivered an entertaining speech on the topic ‘Neologisms’. Mylee was presented with a certificate and a medallion.

The annual competition involves students from primary schools in the ACT and surrounding NSW region and is aimed at encouraging the next generation of young speakers. It is a notable achievement to be selected, as schools can only nominate a single entrant to compete.

“It was a wonderful evening,” said Luke Donnelly, the Acting Principal at St Monica’s Primary School, Evatt. “Students presented thought provoking, inspiring speeches, ending with a great celebration of our Catholic schools.”