TGS Alumna Shines in Livery Company’s Speaking Competition

We are thrilled to hear that our alumna Elysia Hargreaves has won the Worshipful Company of Educators’ Public Speaking Competition. Her four-minute speech was about ‘Why we should educate young people more about politics’, followed by answering questions from the audience of Educators, teachers and fellow contestants for a further ten minutes.

Those at the competition noted the informed and appealing way that Elysia spoke, with humour. The excellent projection and the naturalness of her delivery were commented on – and in particular praised her full handling of some difficult questions.

Elysia studies debating at South Hampstead High School, which inspired her to encourage us in setting up TGS’ own year five and six Debating Society, and judges termly competitions with some of her SHHS colleagues.

One question Elysia was asked on the night was what age young people should start to learn these habits. Elysia herself says “Doing at least one presentation to my class every term throughout primary school undoubtedly gave me so much confidence in preparing a speech, giving it – and then answering questions. This makes so much difference to my public speaking now.”

Elysia also took LAMDA lessons at TGS, and continues to do so, recently gaining Distinction in her Grade 8.

She is pictured here being presented with her trophy by the Master of the Educators Company, Mrs Catherine McGuinness CBE.