Authentic Voices
Two of our Year 10 students, Chloe and Annabelle, brought both polish and authenticity to their recent participation in the Plain English-Speaking Competition at Pymble Ladies’ College.
The contest invites students to present an eight-minute prepared speech on any topic, followed by a three-minute impromptu response. It is a format that tests not only speaking ability but also quick thinking and a sophisticated engagement with ideas.
For her speech, Chloe chose a deeply personal topic, challenging social expectations about sibling relationships. With warmth and vulnerability, she shared her genuine affection for her 12-year-old brother, Max, questioning why society expects teenagers to be dismissive of younger brothers and sisters.
"I think we underestimate younger siblings, and the relationship we could have with them, if we let go of social norms of hating your siblings and learned to actually see them," she argued. Chloe supported her points with research that suggests negative sibling interactions affect mental health.
Her speech was particularly moving when describing how her brother supported her during an uncomfortable family moment: "Before I could even respond, my little brother jumped in and said, 'She doesn't need a boyfriend because she is a strong, independent woman'. That's the love that I wish for in all of my relationships."
Meanwhile, Annabelle explored what she sees as parallels between F Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel, The Great Gatsby, and contemporary society, drawing connections between the shallowness of the Jazz Age and today's social media culture. "The world is chaotic and life is short,” she said. “So people are often looking for a little fun, latching onto the first thing they see before getting bored and tossing it away."
Matching nuanced ideas with an accessible, entertaining delivery, she noted how "yellow cocktail music is replaced by the ‘ping, ping, ping’ of a new Snapchat story, Instagram DM or YouTube video." Rather than just criticising modern habits, Annabelle offered hope: "If we want to evolve and lose the self-centred attitudes retained from the 1920s to now, we can start by living more in the present."
Both students found the experience valuable beyond the competition itself. "Going to this speaking competition allowed me to build my confidence in speaking in front of an audience," reflected Chloe. "I also got to hear some of the strongest speakers in our area deliver very inspiring speeches."
Annabelle agreed: "Participating in this competition really helped me explore answering and communicating a more open-ended question, and greatly built my confidence in a public speaking environment."
The competition format, which prohibits props and requires speakers to present without lecterns or microphones, places emphasis on connecting with audiences through voice and presence alone − skills that serve participants well beyond school.
Both students acknowledged the support of Dr Langan, Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator, who prepared them for the competition, reflecting Wenona’s tradition of developing confident, articulate young women who engage meaningfully with complex ideas while maintaining their authentic voice.