Performance for Schools - now Performers In Schools

The NSW Department of Education and Training has abolished the Performance for Schools program. However, under the initiative of Steve Towell, the previously authorised Performance for Schools groups have collaborated to form a new group which will have its own monitoring and authorising process.

Groups wishing to belong to the Performers In Schools program have to undergo the authorisation process, which includes Working With Children background checks as well as assessment procedures conducted by the new group program.

SpeakersBank Australia Inc has joined the new group and is listed on the Performers In Schools webpage.

Youth Speaker 2008

 Hornsby district students scored two of the top three places in the Youth

Speaker of the Year Final on Tuesday 16th September. Eleven finalists from schools

across Sydney competed in the public speaking event at Burwood RSL Club.

 Isaac Freelander from Normanhorst Boys’ High won first place, with a witty 4

minute speech on the topic of Political Correctness, arguing that despite

good intentions it had gone too far.

Second place went to Cassie Wright of Roseville College, with a comical and

uplifting speech, “Gross Domestic Happiness.”

  

Miriam Barnes of Hornsby Girls’ High School urged people to “throw down the

Ipod shackles” and start communicating and connecting with real life in her

talk, “I came, I saw, Ipod.”

 The winners received prize money of $350, $100 and $50, as well as vouchers

for online games from 3rd Sense.

Contestants had earlier taken part in the Speak Up! Speak Out! Training

workshop, a model designed to encourage students to speak from the heart, to

enhance body language and vocal variety. Two semi-final competitions (hosted

by Parramatta Town Hall and Hornsby Council Chambers) whittled the total

entrants down to the final 11 students, who could choose any issue, cause or

social problem as the topic of a 4-minute speech.

Last year’s winner, Jake Nelson, from Muirfield High School, gave a

diverting account of how his public speaking skills are proving an asset in

many areas of his life. He then presented Isaac Freelander, this year’s

winner, with the perpetual SpeakersBank Youth Speaker of the Year trophy.

In an informal impromptu competition, Cassie Wright won a book and vouchers

with a speech on her ideal holiday in space.

 

 Judges commended all participants on their poise, eloquence and preparation.

“Just taking part is a learning experience,” Dale Rees-Bevan of SpeakersBank

said as she thanked students, their families and sponsors for supporting

Youth Speaker of the Year.

Barack Obama's Victory Speech

A wonderful example of how public speaking can be a powerful tool for leadership!

video.aol.com/video-detail/barack-obama-victory-speech/1152921508288475098

SpeakersBank Australia in partnership with School for Volunteer Management

Speak Up! Speak Out! Public Speaking Workshops piloted at the School for Volunteer Management. On Tuesday, 23 October 2007, The Centre for Volunteering arranged for SpeakersBank to conduct two pilot 3-hour public speaking workshops, which were offered to participants at a reduced fee.

There was a fantastic response with both workshops (each limited to 20) being over subscribed.

"I found the session to be most worthwhile and consider other people interested in improving their confidence and speaking skills should attend one when available in the future. Well done Jacinthe and The Centre for Volunteering!" Nicole Brown, Animal Liberation.

NSW The School of Volunteer Management is now partnering with SpeakersBank to offer these courses to members and others in the sector throughout the Sydney CBD and metropolitan areas and regional NSW.

"It was amazing to see the achievement in such a short space of time." Malalai Ebrahimi, KYDS (Kuring-gai Youth Development Service)

"Last week's public speaking workshops were beneficial in that they gave me some good tips for improving a skill I use almost every day. I wasn’t sure they would have any new information for me but they did! The crew was helpful and friendly and the workshops ran smoothly." Simone Curry, Conservation Volunteers Australia

Following the workshops held at the SVM, SpeakersBank was asked to deliver training for Westpac Helicopter Rescue Service, who commented: "Our organisation was looking for a short, punchy, interactive training session on public speaking for our experienced and already proficient marketing staff. We found exactly what we wanted with SpeakersBank. Everyone enjoyed the three hour workshop and we all left having learnt some simple but some important points. We also received good, constructive feedback about our personal style. It was well worth the investment". Phil Williams, WHRS. 

 SpeakersBank Australia is delighted with the partnership arrangement as we see our goals directly aligned with what the School for Volunteer Management is trying to achieve.