Manor House School celebrated its debut at Rotary’s Youth Speaks public speaking competition by winning the Intermediate (11-13 years) local heat.

The girls will now go through to the district semi final in Oxted on February 27.

Manor House School, a selective independent girls school in Bookham near Leatherhead, beat teams from nearby schools including St John’s, Box Hill, St Teresa’s and Downsend.

Each team comprised:

  • a chairperson who gave a two-minute introduction and managed the meeting on behalf of the team
  • a speaker who addressed the audience for six minutes and answered a question from the organisers, the Rotary Club of Dorking
  • a proposer who gave a vote of thanks to the speaker on behalf of the audience

Manor House’s victorious Year 9 team (Abigail Bryne, Jennifer Gilchrist and Isabella Richardson) triumphed with their speeches on Ying and Yang: Fighting for Harmony in Gender Equality.

Year 8 team (Candice Holloway, Emma Rickerd and Kathleen Strijdom) were third in the running order with their speeches on Why Do We Always Want More?

The judges were retired Circuit Judge John Bishop, former Law Society President Paul Marsh and Blue Badge Guide Bronwen Mills.

Manor House School’s Head of English Mrs Liz Mayes said: “I am immensely proud of the girls’ achievements.

“This was their first experience of public speaking and both teams shone amongst tough competition.”

Manor House School had been encouraged to enter the competition by the Rotary Club of Bookham & Horsley.

Ian Taylor, Youth Services Officer at the Rotary Club of Bookham & Horsley, said: “My congratulations to Manor House and their teams and on a win in their first year of entry!

“What fine performances from both of them in what is a tough competition. Both teams were a great credit to the school.”

Manor House School will be holding open mornings on February 9, April 26 and October 1 2016. Families are welcome.

 

For further details, please contact Admissions Manager Mary Fowell, 01372 457077, mfowell@manorhouseschool.org, https://manorhouseschool.org