After a two year hiatus, 100 courageous students from schools across the Illawarra, Southern Highlands, Shoalhaven and Macarthur regions put their fears aside to participate in the 30th Annual South Coast Public Speaking competition, hosted by Holy Spirit College, Bellambi.

The competition resulted in four students from Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) systemic schools receiving first place honours in their year groups - Elizabeth Sacco and Jessica Smith, Holy Spirit College, Bellambi; Bridget Fairs, St John the Evangelist, Nowra; and Clayton Van Leeuwen, St Joseph’s, Albion Park.  

Like many events that were postponed due to the COVID pandemic, the return of the competition was welcomed by both students and teachers alike. 

The competition, run and adjudicated by the Wollongong section of ToastMasters International, giving students experience in drafting, rehearsing and presenting their chosen speech to a live audience.

Students explored concepts such as the destructive power of lies, and the nature of fear and courage. All students presented well prepared speeches that were both entertaining and thought provoking.

‘Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful' was the topic of discussion for Clayton Van Leeuwen, a Year 11 student from St Joseph’s Catholic High School, Albion Park who was awarded first place for his group. 

"The environment was competitive yet welcoming and served as a platform for growth and discovery," he said. "Everyone performed incredibly and were equally deserving of winning".

Smiths Hill High School, Wollongong was awarded the overall winner, with Holy Spirit and St Mary's, Wollongong awarded equal second place.  

See below the full list of award winners

Year 7  

YEAR 8

YEAR 9

Year 10

YEAR 11

All students represented their respective schools with the utmost respect and sportsmanship, and we congratulate them on their outstanding achievements.