Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends of St Mary’s School,

We are well into our Autumn term although on many days it feels more like winter.

The pupils in the senior classes are in the midst of preparing their speeches. They will present these at school and then the pupils who produce the best speeches will be selected to go on to represent our school at the annual Haddon Shield competition.

One of the most important skills that we learn in life is to communicate. By far the most common way that people communicate is by speaking and listening. The old joke goes that: "we have one mouth and two ears, so we should listen twice as much as we should speak". But a

persuasive, engaging and articulate speaker will convince many more people that their opinion is correct, will change the opinion of others more readily and keep the attention of others than someone who fails to process these skills.

A good speaker speaks in a clear voice, speaks at a pace that is easy to understand and

engages with their audience.

The Haddon Shield event is always of a high level: entertaining and interesting. So whether your child is a participant or not try to come along for a very interesting evening.

During the next holidays I will be having a hip replacement operation. For a period of next term I will be convalescing. In my absence Mrs Lindsay Stevens will be acting Principal. Over the next weeks we will be informing you of any other organizational changes.

Have a great week

Mike Brosnahan

Principal