Speak Out!
Yusuf and Shaan (Year 10) recently participated in the Sutton Regional Final of Jack Petchey's Speak Out Challenge, the largest public speaking programme in England. The Regional Final showcased the talents of 22 young speakers from the area.
Both pupils spoke brilliantly. Shaan expounded on Nelson Mandela's famous words, "courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it", while Yusuf delivered a compelling speech titled "Kids Like Me," which highlighted the need for society to support and provide positive role models for children growing up without fathers. The speech emphasised the potential consequences of neglect and urged collective action to guide and inspire these children towards a better future.
The competition, managed by Speakers Trust and supported by the Jack Petchey Foundation, aims to amplify young voices by building confidence and developing communication skills. Each year, the programme empowers over 30,000 Year 10 students across London and Essex through free workshops.
Yusuf's performance earned the runner-up position in the final. Reflecting on the experience, Yusuf said, "I just want to thank the Jack Petchey Foundation for giving me a platform to speak about something that's really important to me, something that really needs to improve in society, and something that needs to be talked about more. Thank you."
