Staats Primary School learners reaped 25 awards at the Artistatue National Public Speaking competition at Midstream College, Centurion.

The Kimberley school has been participating in the competition since its inception in 2019, with learners from each grade participating in various categories.

“Our learners participate in five competitions annually, namely ATKV, Oppie-Tong-Af, Radikale Redenaars, Artistatue, and Con Spirito,” said teacher Robyn Carlo, who’s involved in public speaking. “Fun fact, some learners participated in two national competitions on the same day!

First Place Winners. Picture supplied

“We had 42 learners who participated; we took 25 awards. God blessed us with nine first places, eight second places, and eight third places. Three of our groups won first place as well.”

Carlo said their school doesn’t have a set public speaking team, but competes with other schools regionally, provincially, and nationally every year. Some of the learners are now preparing for the next round of competitions that will take place in Boksburg and Bedfordview, Gauteng, in October.

Grade 3 English Experimental group. Picture supplied

Nontozonke Phillps (12) told OFM News during her second time competing in the Artistatue Nationals, she prepared her speech on the topic “the daily tasks and duties that mothers perform to get their children to achieve overall success in life”. It landed her second place for an individual speech.

“The competition at nationals is always tough and one cannot predict how you will deliver your speech as you don’t present your speech to the same person that you did at the provincial level, so when I won second place I was genuinely proud of myself because getting yourself in the top three is a lot of work,” she said.

Grade 3 Afrikaans Experimental group. Picture supplied

Although this was only her second year competing in a public speaking competition, she thoroughly enjoyed the activity because she was allowed to present subjects that were informative and evoked a reaction from the audience.

Nontozonke also volunteers at the local CRC as well as being a Girls’ Guide, assisting local charities around the city.

OFM News/Casey-Lee Anthony cg