Speaking & Listening

The ability to communicate effectively orally is of central importance in today's world. Even though it is not reflected in prep school examination requirements, it is essential that oral skills are developed from an early age. This happens right across the curriculum including Form Assemblies and House Assemblies.. In English we are on the alert for talking and listening opportunities as part of a wider repertoire of teaching and learning strategies. Speaking and listening are two of a number of ways of helping pupils to make and communicate meaning. Talk is a way of exploring and sharing understanding - "shared drafting" - and of reshaping and presenting understanding to others. Sometimes talk is incidental, such as round a computer, but we plan carefully to provide a range of opportunities with specific focused instructions, purposes and outcomes.

 

C form class, (Year 6) hotseating a moment in "Kensuke's Kingdom" by Michael Morpurgo

C form poetry recitation

The competition was judged by Mr Faulkner. He said that to say a poem well we had to read it as if we had written it ourselves. The standard was very high, and everyone looked at Mr Faulkner, spoke clearly, and used contrast and pace to highlight meaning. Eventually he chose three runners-up Rebecca, Adam  and Philippa. Rosanna was the winner with her control, contrast and emphasis on words such as "whispers, snaps, spring and spreads."

B form poetry recitation

The finalists met in the Old Library. The atmosphere was electric as Mr Faulkner was treated to sensitive interpretations of poems by Ted Hughes, Carol Ann Duffy and Wilfred Owen. After deliberation and cogitation Mr Faulkner chose two runners-up  -  Ella and Eleanor  - and Nico as the winner.

A form poetry recitation

Mr Faulkner and Miss Marshall were in the Old Library again. Most A form pupils chose war poetry with Sassoon and Owen as the favourites. The performances were all of a high standard. No one stumbled and everyone was word perfect. It was difficult to pick a winner from such an even group of finalists but the pace, emotional charge and sadness of James M's rendering of "Anthem for Doomed Youth" won the day and he was chosen as the winner, with Honor, Emily, Charles and James H as runners-up.

B form persuasive talks

The B forms prepared persuasive talks. Topics were varied covering issues such as Why the British Army should not be in Afghanistan, Why myths and legends should be treated more seriously, and Why the school should grow its own lettuce.

 

Certificates were awarded to: Jack, Alice, Alex, Elizabeth, George, Hannah, Yvette, Ella, Charlie and Zell. 

C form talks

Following a visit from storyteller Patrick Ryan, the C forms have been holding their own storytelling celebration. Each from has enjoyed a good crop of stories, all prepared carefully and delivered with no notes (but not 'learned'). The standard was most encouraging. They enjoyed listening to each other's and the whole exercise was most enjoyable.

 

Certificates are awarded to: Ned, Rosie, Chantelle, Ludo, William, Rosanna, Gus and Molly.