SPEECH NEW ZEALAND'S HIGH ACHIEVERS OF 2009

 

Trustee of Speech New Zealand Honoured  Article in Rotorua Review November 3, 2009

Amongst four Rotorua women recently honoured by the Zonta Club of Rotorua for services to their district was one of Speech New Zealand’s Trustees, Gabrielle Thurston.

 Gabrielle, who is head of Speech & Drama at John Paul College, received the Arts Award.  Students and teachers agree that the resounding success of major school productions like Hamlet (2009) and Les Miserables (2007) was because of Gabrielle’s enthusiasm and expertise.  Gabrielle was also recognised for her work in encouraging students to excel in speech and drama at national and international levels.

We congratulate Gabrielle on her achievement

Striding the International Stage

In 1985, David Lange Prime Minister of NZ made history, when he won the Oxford Union debate in London arguing that ”Nuclear weapons are morally indefensible”, Lange was accorded a standing ovation.

Over 20 years later, another New Zealander was given the opportunity to represent his country in an International Public Speaking Competition which was held in London in May.

The English Speaking Union (NZ) offered to sponsor a young New Zealander to compete in this prestigious competition and in conjunction with Speech New Zealand  selected a fitting representative.

Tevivi Daniel, from Hawke’s Bay was the lucky winner and  competed with 64 other countries.  The theme for the competition was  “Regeneration and Renewal”.

Tevivi won the audience choice award.

 

 

Young Fruit Grower of the Year ~‘ Competition Speech  

             

Kevin Mclnnes was placed first in the Hawkes Bay Regional Contest.It was this impromptu

speech delivered with great humour and finesse that gained him his placing.

 

A somewhat ‘rough diamond’ Kevin known  to peers and teacher as K J,    was one

of the first students at Karamu High School   to undertake the Oral Communication Assessment

when it was first trialled at the school.  Kevin went on to the  Speech Extension  Programme at the school, achieving Grade 7 and providing great entertainment, with his speeches and acting as a  speech role-model for younger students.  He was taught by Judith Bartlett  

  

S & D Grade Five Jillian Carpenter Scholarship	Alice Winter Invercargill	Teacher: Mary Burt
S & D Grade Six	Rachael Wiltshire Wellington	Teacher: Barbara Laurenson
S & D Grade Seven	Connie Minett Waikato	Teacher: Dianne Schilov
S & D Grade Eight	Christian Thurston Rotorua	Teacher: Gabrielle Thurston
PS & C Grade Six	Connor Ennis Hawkes Bay/Napier Hastings	Teacher: Donna McKinlay-Jones
PS & C Grade Seven	Zachary Emmerson Hawkes Bay/Napier Hastings	Teacher: Donna McKinlay-Jones
PS & C Grade Eight	Rosanagh Kynoch Hawkes Bay Central	Teacher: Josephine Carpenter
Dunsmuir Scholarship	Mikaila Hutchison Auckland Northshore	Teacher: Meredith Caisley
Todd Jubilee Prize	Daniel  Harris Auckland	Teacher: Claire Marsh
Excellence in the Use of Language and Expression Speech and Drama	Sara Bishop Wellington	Teacher: Jillian Carpenter
Excellence in the Use of Language and Expression Public Speaking	Joshua Tweddell Waikato	Teacher: Claire Robb

 

2009 Speech NZ Geyser Community Foundation
Scholarships awarded

 For a second year two speech and drama students from Rotorua were awarded Speech New Zealand Geyser Community Foundation scholarships. 2009 Winners were Alex Keyte Beattie and Matthew McMenamin. The scholarships will fund their examination fees for the three practical and four theory examinations to become Associates of Speech New Zealand.

Alex Keyte Beattie was a student of Susan Webb’s Voice in Action studio in Rotorua until 2008. She achieved Honours in all but two of her Grade 3 to 8 examinations. Alex says: “Speech and Drama training developed my ability to articulate my thoughts clearly and expressively. It gave me the confidence to take on and succeed in leadership roles at John Paul College.

  

Matthew McMenamin was a student of Gabrielle Thurston in Rotorua. Now at the Victoria University of Wellington, he is continuing his studies with Barbara Laurenson and has already gained Distinction in two ASB modules. Matthew taught younger students in Gabrielle’s Catch a Rising Star drama. 

 

     Head Boys winning performance

In 2009 Rotorua's Christian Thurston  won the title of New Zealand's Young Performer of the Year in speech and drama.  Christian was one of 25 performers from throughout New Zealand who competed in the speech and drama section of the competition.

 

 

 

Congratulations to all our High Achievers