The English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College was delighted to host the The Catenians Province 5 Public Speaking Competition 2023.
Students aged from 11 to 18 travelled to Hartlepool from across the region to deliver passionate, intelligent and compelling speeches to a large audience.
English Martyrs Catholic School had entries in all categories. Lewis Howe, Ava Watson and Finlay Booth were outstanding in their performance against very strong competition.
English teachers Louise Cordon and Bethany Causton, who have worked with students to prepare for this competition said: "Ava, Finlay and Lewis all worked tremendously hard and created fantastic speeches."
"Their speeches were thought-provoking, beautifully written, and were delivered with great confidence and conviction."
Finlay was awarded second place for his Key Stage 3 speech on 'the importance and power of reading' with EMS6 student Lewis crowned as the winner of the Post 16 competition.
Lewis has been invited to represent Province 5 at the Catenian National Public Speaking Contest in Manchester in September.
Sara Crawshaw, headteacher said: "It was a real privilege to host the event at English Martyrs, all of the participants of the competition were fantastic."
"I wish Lewis, and all of the other winners well for the National Competition."