Premier Baird hosts Bear Pit Public Speaking Contest

Young orators took over the debating chamber at Parliament House for the Bear Pit Public Speaking contest.

Top speakers: Permier Mike Baird with Stage 2 winner Tom Gay, from Manly Vale Public School and runner up Skye Smale, from Manly Village Public School.

• Getting the best from boys’ education
• Life skills, gardening and cooking at school
• Tackling online trolls at school

A PINT-SIZED speaker with a big voice brought the house down with an entertaining speech.

Neat as a pin in his scarlet blazer, Tom Gay, of Manly Vale Public School, won the stage two category of the Bear Pit Public Speaking Contest on Monday, held in the debating chamber of NSW Parliament House.

Premier Mike Baird with the 2016 Bear Pit contestants. Pictures: Craig Wilson

The year 3 student impressed the judges with his impassioned speech on why school uniforms are better.

“I chose the topic because I thought that it was an easy one to talk about,” the eight-year-old orator said.

“A uniform keeps everyone together and makes them a part of something bigger.”

Tom, who supports wearing a school uniform, said he had overcome the challenge of speaking in the chamber by projecting his voice and injecting expression into his speech.

Natasha Woodward, 11, of Balgowlah Heights Public School, won stage three of the contest with her speech Boundless Plains To Share, embracing multiculturalism in the national ­anthem, principal Judy Goodsell said.

Year 5 student Natasha Woodward, from Balgowlah Heights Public School, won Stage 3 of the Bear Pit Public Speaking Contest

Premier Mike Baird congratulated the 24 young orators after the competition.

“Public speaking isn’t easy,” he said.

“The speeches were well prepared, inspiring and delivered with confidence.”

Now in its eighth year, the Premier, as MP for Manly, founded the competition for primary students with former Balgowlah North Public School principal Vicki Treble.

The competition develops and promotes public speaking skills, he said.

Premier Mike Baird and judge, author Thomas Keneally share the podium.

SPEAKING UP

The Bear Pit Public Speaking Competition was set up in 2009

The annual competition is open to primary school children in Premier Mike Baird’s electorate

24 students from 12 peninsula schools entered

Each student gave a three-minute speech on a range of topics, including IfI Ruled The World, A Recipe For Harmony and Hidden Heroes

Finley York, from Curl Curl North Public School delivers his speech.