Canvey Island Primary Students Make Themselves Heard at Cornelius Vermuyden's 10th 'Your Shout' Public Speaking Competition

Cornelius Vermuyden
December 7, 2018

Scarlet Mathieson from Canvey Junior School, scooped top prize in the 10th Grand Final of the ‘Your Shout’ Public Speaking Competition, held at the Cornelius Vermuyden School on Thursday the 6th of December 2018.

Scarlet’s speech on her chosen subject, ‘My Hero’, won her 1st prize and the ‘Orator’s Cup’.

Sponsored by the Cornelius Vermuyden School, the ‘Your Shout’ Public Speaking Competition involves eight Canvey primary schools. Students taking part all receive a full day of training in public speaking and effective communication. Following the training, students compete in their own schools for places at the Grand Final. The strongest from each school are put forward to a final of 18 students speaking out on subjects that are important to them.

Runner up was Tilly Heaton from St Katherine’s Church of England Primary School with her subject ‘Box of Problems’ and third was Maddison Woollard from Leigh Beck Junior School with her title ‘The Training Day’.

Judges included; Councillor Jeffrey Stanley, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Cornelius Vermuyden School and Councillor Ray Howard of Castle Point Council. Councillor Ray Howard said: “As always, it was very well done. It is good to know that ‘Your Shout’ and public speaking is so important for primary and junior schools and in later life. Long may ‘Your Shout’ happen every year”

Chief Judge, Councillor Jeffrey Stanley said: “Public speaking is such a vital skill that lasts your whole life. Learning it at such an early stage is one of the best starts to life.”

Mrs Carol Skewes, Headteacher of the Cornelius Vermuyden School presented the prizes.

Winner Scarlet Mathieson said: “I feel shocked. It’s a really good event, even if you don’t get through, taking part is amazing. I am amazed I got through, I made it, I am so happy”

Sponsored by the Cornelius Vermuyden School and now in its 10th year, the ‘Your Shout’ Public Speaking Competition involves Canvey Island youngsters speaking out on subjects that are important to them. This year, ‘Your Shout’ competitors spoke before a total combined Canvey audience of more than 1,180 people. Over 10 years of the competition, Canvey Island junior school students have spoken to more than 10,000 people.