Frayne Speech Festival a Platform for Impact
Mercy Light: Leading
Glossophobia: it鈥檚 one of the lesser known 鈥榩hobias鈥�, but surprisingly, it鈥檚 more common than the fear of spiders, heights, and even death. In fact, it鈥檚 estimated that over 75% of the population experiences some form of it. This week, students from 10 Mercy schools will gather in one of our Mercy sister-schools to not only confront the very thing that causes many to quake in their boots, but to conquer it.
Five SAC students, accompanied by teachers, Ms Elizabeth Boylan and Ms Lucy Newton, were welcomed in the familiar spirit of Hospitality by this year鈥檚 festival host, Our Lady of Mercy College, in Heidelberg, Melbourne. Judith Weir, Principal of OLMC, said, 鈥渇or over 20 years, the Frayne Speech Festival has given Mercy students the opportunity to gather in friendly competition using the power of spoken word. Students use their voices to share ideas, debate contentious questions and deliver joy through bringing poetry to life.鈥�
Catherine McAuley鈥檚 legacy as Sisters of Mercy Foundress is familiar to many at 吃瓜网, but an equally inspiring tale is that of one of her first followers, Mother Ursula Frayne, the courageous, Irish Sister of Mercy who was entrusted to carry Mercy to the far shores of Australia.
In 1845, just four years after Catherine鈥檚 death, Ursula arrived in Perth, where, in no small undertaking, she established Australia鈥檚 first Mercy school with planks, bricks and packing cases as the furniture, later venturing across the arid plain to do the same in Victoria. Congregations of Sisters, Mercy schools and ministries around Australia soon followed. It鈥檚 fair to assume that Ursula Frayne was not herself plagued by glossophobia!
Year 10 student, Alice, debated with fellow students, Mariya, also in Year 10, and Niamh in Year 11. The team met with great success, competing in the finals and finishing as runners-up. Alice shared her excitement, explaining how the festival is, 鈥溾�uch a great opportunity – getting to compete interstate, interacting with young people from all over, and gaining some valuable experience debating in a new environment. Plus, it’s very exciting to get flown out to Melbourne and spend some time with my SAC teammates.鈥�
鈥淒ebating has been a great way for me to develop my skills, such as speaking clearly in front of new people, constructing strong arguments, and getting better at expressing my thoughts. I think it’s a great thing for students to do and can offer so many benefits, from building academic abilities to strengthening self-confidence!”
As well as the team of debaters, two brave Year 11 students, Zahra and Harnaaz, captured the festival鈥檚 audience with different topical speeches. Zahra spoke to 鈥楾he Power of Stories鈥�, while Harnaaz, who made it all the way to the Festival finals, explored ideas around why 鈥楽ilence is Undervalued鈥�, placing a particular emphasis on women. Harnaaz said, 鈥淚 want to highlight the invisible women whose silence acts as a thread of unity, binding them in a tapestry of unspoken strength. Women, across different walks of life, have been silent witnesses to their own stories, their struggles and their victories. In their silence, there is a profound narrative waiting to be heard.鈥�
These are powerful words with which Catherine McAuley and Ursula Frayne would surely agree.
The teachers accompanying SAC鈥檚 speakers and debaters, Ms Boylan and Ms Newton, are no strangers themselves to the stage. Ms Boylan is a gifted orator and has been coaching SAC students for over 20 years; some of whom have achieved competitive success at national level. Ms Newton is an acclaimed playwright, whose words have captivated audiences around Australia, including at the Adelaide Fringe Festival.
Ms Boylan explained how, 鈥減ublic speaking affords students the opportunity to develop their creative and critical thinking skills. It boosts confidence and self-esteem and fosters leadership skills, as they learn to address an audience and confidently present their ideas. It is always a pleasure to see young people speaking with clarity and confidence. This is what we saw at the Frayne Speech Festival this week and what I have had the pleasure of seeing over many years at SAC, supporting and encouraging students who want to participate in public speaking competitions.
Ms Newton shared similar sentiments, saying, 鈥淚’ve loved working with our SAC debaters. I’m constantly in awe of the worldliness, intelligence and thoughtfulness of our students and am thrilled to have gone to Melbourne with the team this year!鈥�
Ms Boylan and Ms Newton鈥檚 expertise have positively influenced many current and former SAC students. However, when it comes down to the moment before a student speaks, when they draw a breath and cast their gaze across the audience, it鈥檚 up to them alone to summon the courage to use their voice. Mother Ursula Frayne may have built her first school from planks, bricks and packing cases – not the most durable materials – but the values taught in the tradition of Mercy make for solid foundations on which students can stand to convey powerful messages, and these stand the test of time. Congratulations to Alice, Mariya, Niamh, Harnaaz and Zahra!
Ms Maddie Kelly
Marketing & Communications Team