Jack Petchey Speak-Out Challenge Barnet Finals

Following the in school Year 10 workshops supported by the Jack Petchey foundation, St James' held our school finals to determine who would go on to represent the school in the Barnet finals.

The five finalists were Aalie Ricketts, Aine O'Connor, Diogo Pina, Ruby Smith and Winifred Okeyia. All five were required to present their prepared speech to the whole year group assembly which takes incredible nerve aswell as the obvious skill in public speaking.

They all gave thought provoking speeches that were delivered with confidence, passion and commitment.

The winner and St James' Champion was Ruby Smith and she went on to represent the school at the Barnet finals held at Mill Hill County High School on the evening of Wednesday 31 January.

The finals proved to be another level of challenge, with the finalists required to speak in front of the Mayor of Barnet, distinguished guests, judges and a crowd of strangers, as well as, of course, all the finalists from the other secondary schools across Barnet.

Ruby delivered an excellent speech entitled "City Walls" that asked te audience to reconsider traditional stereotypes and to not pigeon hole people based on how they look or where they come from.

Although Ruby was not placed on the night, her speech was singled out for praise by last year's champion. 

At St James' we are incredibly proud of Ruby and grateful to her for representing the school in such a positive fashion. We hope that the experience will prove beneficial to her to in the year's to come.

Thank you to teh Jack Petchey Foundation for giving our students the opportunity to develop their oratory skills and thank you to Mill Hill County for hosting such a wonderful event.