Twelve Primary Schools from across the Manly electorate were represented in this year’s hugely successful final of the Bear Pit Public Speaking Competition at the Parliament of New South Wales. The competition, which derives its ‘Bear Pit’ name from the often loud and raucous NSW Parliament, includes class, year, and school level competitions to develop the public speaking skills of students across our Manly electorate.
The students are seated on the Government benches and speak from the floor of the Parliament, in the same way as the Premier or a Minister does during a session of Parliament. The competition, first held in 2009 as the brainchild of former Balgowlah North Primary School Principal Vicki Treble and former Member for Manly, Mike Baird, provides an exciting way to encourage confidence in our young students. After a two year-hiatus due to COVID-19, it was great to once again host the best public speakers from our local primary schools. The quality of speeches from the 24 participants was outstanding and I congratulate all students on their efforts.
I especially congratulate winners Aliyah Gannon and Ella Barnett from Manly West Public School, and runners-up Matisse Moreau from St Mary’s Catholic School and Sophie Mooring from Balgowlah Heights Public School.
This year’s winners and runners-up were decided by a decorated panel of adjudicators comprising Pauline Gilchrist, Speechcraft Chair of the District 70 & 90 Toastmasters, Diana Iles, founder and former director of the Sydney University Centre for English Teaching, Margaret Lewis, former primary school Principal and Education Standards Inspector, and Charlotte Rimmer, President of the Manly Business Chamber and Manly Local Woman of the Year.
After thirteen years, the continuing success of the Bear Pit competition is a true testament to the hard work of all involved including students, parents, our volunteer adjudicators, and of course our dedicated teachers. I cannot even begin to share how proud I am of all our students. Three of the four placegetters came from public schools.
Recently, the NSW Government announced new initiatives to help our teachers do what they do best – teach. They include introducing hundreds of new roles in administration, leadership and support to lighten teacher workloads. The new administration roles will work with teachers to undertake tasks that currently take up too much of our teachers’ precious time such as data entry, paperwork or coordinating events and excursions.
As I continue to fight in the ‘Bear Pit’ for our electorate of Manly, I also look forward to next year when once again the best of our young students pit their debating skills on the floor of our Parliament.