We recently celebrated success in the Youth Speaks District Final, where both our intermediate and senior teams delivered outstanding performances at The Mountbatten School in Romsey. To add to the excitement, Cllr Ian Jeffrey, the Mayor of Test Valley Borough Council, and his wife, Maura Jeffrey, the Mayoress, visited Rookwood on Friday 4th April to present certificates to the participants and winners of the Youth Speaks and Young Writer competitions.
The highly acclaimed yearly competition saw teams from across the region engage in lively debates on a range of thought-provoking topics. The intermediate team, led by Mrs Heather Blackmore, Head of Drama, emerged as deserving winners after presenting a highly polished argument on the motion “Let’s Stop the Americanisation of British Culture.” Chairperson Annabelle N, Proposer Alex L, and Opposer Jessica M impressed the judges with their confidence, wit, and well-timed humour, earning plenty of laughter from the audience.
Meanwhile, the senior team – Dariia B (Chairperson), John K (Proposer), and Oliver W (Opposer) – delivered a compelling case on “We Must Fight for the Right to Free Speech.” Despite fierce competition from other schools debating topics such as abortion rights, electric vehicles, and the ‘normalisation’ of the beauty industry, the Rookwood students held their own, showcasing eloquence and critical thinking in front of a particularly discerning audience. In a closely contested final, they were beaten by Bay House School in Gosport, who proved to be very worthy winners.
Mrs Cumpsty, Head of English, praised the students’ achievements: “Public speaking is an invaluable skill, and it was wonderful to see our students rise to the challenge with such confidence and flair. Their ability to engage an audience, structure persuasive arguments, and think on their feet was truly impressive. We are incredibly proud of them.”
Special thanks were extended to Elysia B (Year 13) for her dedication in helping the teams prepare, even giving up her Sunday afternoon – on Mother’s Day – to support them. The school also expressed gratitude to parents for their unwavering support and commitment throughout the competition. Both teams demonstrated outstanding skill, and Rookwood School looks forward to continuing its tradition of excellence in public speaking competitions.
