MHC Speech Competition

14 Sep 2026

Y7/8 speech competition

The Year 7/8 speech competition is always a highlight on the school calendar. Students deliver their speeches to their classes, and finalists compete for the speech cup in front of all of Year 7 and Year 8. This is no small feat, and yet again our juniors excelled. Topics ranged from dinosaurs, to a debate of whether the Colosseum was a distraction or entertainment, to a persuasive speech that professional athletes are paid too much. Students clearly showed their learning around structuring speeches for a listening audience, and developing their ideas. Well done to all students who competed; we cannot wait for next year. Thank you to Mrs Tantau for co-judging the competition this year, alongside me.

1st - Gabbie Duckmanton

2nd - Emily Glass

3rd - Felix Keenan

Highly commended - Tevita Fifita

Y9/10 speech competition

It was wow moment after wow moment at the Year 9/10 speech competition this year. Every speech was delivered with poise, passion and purpose. With 12 contestants, a truly impressive number, it was a joyful afternoon listening to these students. I felt inspired to travel, validated that laughing at my own jokes is acceptable, informed about the number of mistakes people make, warned about procrastination, and convinced that failure is the most important ingredient to success. Their topics were thoughtful, uplifting and showed strong critical thinking. A big thank you to Mr Andre Cuttle and Ms Nicole Endacott for judging this year.

1st - Alex Aquino

2nd - Wilson Daus

3rd - Milford Buyaan

Senior speech competition

If we thought 12 was impressive for the Year 9/10 competition, the 13 contestants in this year’s senior competition were incredibly exciting. Thank you to Mrs Penny Laws for co-judging with me. More than tripling last year’s number, we spent the evening listening to empathetic, honest, thought-provoking speeches on a huge range of topics. Here were some of the gems we were privileged to hear:

Perhaps, the growing up part isn't something we need to change; maybe it's just how quickly we are trying to get there.
"I'm fine" has now become less of a feeling and just performative. It's become an act we use to hide ourselves from each other.
True resilience is being able to admit when you need support, accept that support and then use it to move on.
It’s not the pathway that you take, but it’s the person on the pathway that chooses how your future will play out.