Gillian Davidson and Matthew Cooper

Congratulations to the RSD Public Speaking team which has enjoyed a highly successful year.  Work began in November as the team, consisting of Gillian Davidson, Jamye McClung and Stuart Erskine (all in Year 12), emerged as winners of the local heat of the Business and Professional Women’s Public Speaking Competition.  This was an excellent achievement considering that the RSD pupils were the youngest in the competition.

The Northern Ireland final, which was held in Ballymena, was contested between six teams who had won their respective local competitions.  Again, a strong RSD performance helped them secure top position and the team proceeded to the All-Ireland Final.

The final of the BPW competition, which was held on 5th March in Craigavon Civic Centre, was contested by the four top teams in Ireland: Colaiste Einde (Galway), Colaiste Naomh Cormac (Offaly), RBAI and RSD.  On this occasion, Matthew Cooper replaced Jamye McClung, who was competing in the final of the Soroptimist International Public Speaking competition on the same date.

The panel of judges for the final was made up of an impressive cross-section of professionals from business, educational and legal sectors and the competition was chaired by Mrs Felicity Rolston.  Unfortunately, on this occasion, the RSD team was pipped at the post by a strong sixth-form team from RBAI.  Even so, the team was delighted for Matthew Cooper who won the ‘best chairperson’ award.  Each team member was awarded with a memento of their involvement in this prestigious event.

More success followed as the pupils took part in the Portadown Festival where they picked up an array of silverware including the Formal Speaking Cup and the ‘best ’speaker’ award for Stuart Erskine.

The team is grateful for the help from Ms Janette Thornton and thank her for her organisation of events and the hospitality she offered.