STUDENTS representing schools across Port Stephens have competed against each other in the daunting activity of Public Speaking, and have excelled across the board.

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Students competed at their own individual Schools at a class level, then choosing winners to compete at School level, before selecting their best students to compete at Shortland Public School, who hosted the Stage 3 Hunter Inter-Schools Zone Public Speaking Finals.

The representing students hailed from schools across the Hunter and Port Stephens, having demonstrated impressive confidence and audience engagement at their respective school levels and the ability to compete at the zone representative level.

Shakyia Apthorpe representing Raymond Terrace Public School spoke about women’s rights, reflective of her debating background.

“I am lucky as I am also a school captain, so I have many opportunities to engage in public speaking,” Shakyia told News Of The Area.

Year 5 student Ruby van de Wijgaart from Wirreanda Public School also performed with beyond her years, presenting an enjoyable speech about Star Struck.

Ruby said, “I am on the senior debate team at school, but this was an opportunity for me to express my love of the performing arts, and have some fun.”

Students were selected from this level of the competition to progress to the next round, several of whom are Port Stephens students.

News Of The Area is looking forward to sharing the results, and profiles of these talented young people with our readers at the culmination of the next round of the competition.

By Rachael VAUGHAN