Community : Youth Speaks Competition

The Rotary Club of Reading Abbey were thrilled to host the Youth Speaks zone final on Thursday 25^th February 2016 at Highdown School, Emmer Green. 

President, Mike Baker from the Rotary Club of Reading Abbey said, “we enthusiastically support Youth Speaks because it gives young people a rare chance to develop their public speaking skills. We have been consistently impressed by the quality of the students who take part and are delighted to have the opportunity to associate our Rotary Club with this successful event”

The competition sees young people aged 14-17 enthusiastically and passionately present subjects close to their hearts.

This year the Intermediate Section consisted of:

• Abbey School : "The Power of Books"
• Trinity School : "Chinese investments in the UK"
• Queen Anne's School : "War, what is it good for?"
• Yateley Manor: "Why exercise and not just sport should be compulsory in schools" - WINNER

• The Piggott School : "The War on Reason"
• Theale Green School : "Can we, should we, send a human mission to Mars?"
• The Forest School: "Awkward Moments" - WINNER
• Mary Hare School: "Did we lose?..... Didn't we lose?"

Youth Speaks comprises of teams presenting against a clock to judges who score them.  Each team consists of chairperson, speaker and proposer who will give a vote of thanks. The team is given constructive feedback following their presentation and the successful team on the night will be invited to the Youth Speaks final which takes place on 7^th May in Preston.

Youth Speaks gives young people confidence to publically discuss topical subjects. This requires discipline to debate to time, work as part of a team and present in front of experienced adjudicators.  The young people debating would love your support so the public are always welcome to come and listen to the stimulating discussion and get behind the teams. Rotary clubs across Berkshire support schools participating on the night.