Following the success of the inaugural Public Speaking Competition for Schools in Lanarkshire in March 2019 the second competition was held on 20 September 2019 at the Ravenscraig Sports facility Motherwell with the following schools taking part:
Cardinal Newman High, Bellshill
Holy Cross High. Hamilton
John Ogilvie High, Hamilton
Kilsyth Academy
The competition was in a similar format to the first event but with one very special and entertaining addition with the brass band from Larkhall Academy opening and closing proceedings.
Three pupils from each team spoke on the subject of ” Citizens in our Schools and Community ” and then answered questions posed by two pupils from another team .
The judging panel was chaired by Lord Frank Mulholland QC Senator of the College of Justice and also included :
Councillor Jean Jones, Provost of North Lanarkshire Council ;
Dr Peter Hughes OBE Retired Chief Executive of Scottish Engineering ; and
Lynn Wassell Chief Executive of Clyde Valley Housing Association .
The standards achieved by all schools taking part were again exceptional focussing on the importance of citizenship and the benefits of immigration to the country . Winners of the trophy, presented by Lord Lieutenant Lady Haughey CBE were Kilsyth Academy .
Congratulations again to the four schools taking part in this second competition , all of the pupils participating should be very proud of their achievements and they were certainly all a credit to their respective schools
The following feedback from a teacher from one of the schools best captures the impact of the day :
Special thanks are due to North Lanarkshire Council for hosting the event , master of ceremonies Sheriff Robert Dickson DL , organiser John McKenzie DL, the judging panel , Larkhall Academy Brass Band and education staff who all worked so well as a team contributing to the success of the event .