PUBLIC SPEAKING OPPORTUNITY: For Primary and Secondary students in public schools:
Amplifying student voice: A public speaking component to this event has been established to not only offer young people, Primary and Secondary students, the opportunity to reflect, refine understanding and craft speeches, building ambassadorship to this cause in their schools. In 2024, 28 schools participated in this series of events.
On Tuesday 12 August, 2025, the public Speaking 'Learning day' at Woolooware High School, provides representatives from local public schools the to opportunity to:
- reflect on the context and aims of this significant day in our local community;
- gain insights into the issues that create disrespect, including gender inequality, (with the secondary students delving into statistics from NSW) that galvanised everyone's purpose and
- support students in crafting a speech that pays respect to the challenging content and encourages us all to play our part.
These articulate and motivated young people have responded keenly to the day's learning in the past, valuing the experiences provided by Mr Dale Palmer (Department of Education 'Respectful Relationships Program'), Mr Theo Bonny (Regional Public Speaking Coordinator and local teacher from Port Hacking High School) and Daniella Luchi, founding member of the committee and myself, Ms Mardi Benson, the Principal of Woolooware High School, and a representatives of the 'Walk For Respectful Relationships Committee'.
BUILDING AMBASSADORSHIP:
As a result of the learning delivered on day 1, these students understood that this moment is their opportunity to advocate for change. Over the month leading up to competition day, each student has the option of working with their teacher's support, to develop a highly reasoned, cohesive call to action change.
On Tuesday 9 September 2025, students will return to Woolooware High School, to present their speeches, competing for an opportunity to deliver this message to the audience on the day of the Walk For Respectful Relationships, with one Secondary and one Primary school aged student achieving this honour. Adding both a Primary and Secondary voice to the formal ceremony at Cronulla Park in November, most importantly adds student voices to this important whole community event, providing them with the opportunity to speak directly to their local dignitaries and their peers on that day.
IMPACT?
Significantly, this opportunity provides the students with the knowledge and skills to deliver a call to action for their peers. It is also a moment for the adults in the room to learn from our young people; to actively listen to our students and hear from them what steps they would value in changing their world. Offering this learning opportunity deepens both their commitment to making change, being led by public schools, and provides the teachers and presenters with an immense sense of hope, as these young people, both male and female students, have the opportunity to all share their profound moments of learning, in such an impassioned and articulate manner.
