Taylors' Public Speaking Competition Final 2025
Last Friday after school saw the hotly anticipated final of the MTS Public Speaking Competition. The finalists had started the competition in their English lessons, where every boy from the Thirds to the Fourth-Form was required to give a speech as part of the English curriculum
Now, from the front of the lecture theatre, boys gave their speeches to an audience of teachers, students, parents and our esteemed judge Mr Gough, Head of English at MTP. Mr Gough was very impressed by the quality of speeches and had the very difficult task of choosing the winners. He gave personalised feedback to the boys, recognising the range of talents and approaches they brought to their equally idiosyncratic topics, chosen from 'we need to let go of ________________', 'why everyone should try ____________' or 'what the world needs now is _________________.'
Ossie K opened proceedings with a thoughtful and erudite call for giving up 'being right'; his speech was a timely exploration of fake news and the need to be open to the possibility that you might be wrong. Suraj D was next with an inspirational, TED-talk-esque speech on why we need to let go of fear. He was followed by Arjun N whose impassioned speech on the need to for better education for all children was well-researched and persuasively presented. Next, Hrim D used humour and humility to persuade us of the dangers of social media. Then Daniel S- bold, amusing, but not yellow - gave his very engaging and entertaining speech on why we should be 'bold like a banana.' Closing the Fourth-form round was Viraaj V who urged us to lead rather than follow, intelligently warning us against herd mentality.
The Thirds and Upper Thirds round was kicked off by Leo M whose acting skills came to the fore in a lively and engaging call for strategy games to replace part of study skills lessons. Fellow thespian Daniel Z followed with a confident, entertaining and well-researched speech on why we should use more bamboo products. Next up was Sahaj M whose inspirational talk on the importance of character building offered a refreshing perspective on what it means to be a good person. Pravir P, also a 2024 finalist, spoke with his characteristic intelligence and zeal about why we should embrace change.
All speakers impressed Mr Gough who, after some deliberation, announced the following winners:
Fourths Runner-up: Ossie K
Fourths Winner: Daniel S
Thirds and Upper Thirds Runner-up: Leo M
Thirds and Upper Thirds Winner: Pravir P
Well done to all boys. Look out for a new Public Speaking Society, led by Ashton B and Zak K, starting Thursdays in the Hour.
