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St James Roman Catholic Primary School proudly hosted its first Toastmasters Youth Leadership Graduation and Showcase Evening for 20 Grade 7 learners on Wednesday 22 August.
The programme was a collaboration between the Two Oceans Toastmasters Club in Fish Hoek and the Kalk Bay St James Special Rating Area (KBSJSRA) Social Development Team, which facilitates community projects in the area.
The Toastmasters Youth Leadership Programme is a workshop consisting of eight one to two- hour sessions that enable young people under the age of 18 to develop their communication and leadership skills through practical experience.
The workshops are structured for small group learning and are limited to 20 students.
The programme was presented during a school day once a week for eight weeks by Distinguished Toastmaster and a contracted social worker to the KBSJSRA, Marion Thomas.
In the workshop, learners are taught valuable skills including:
. Being able to evaluate their own speaking ability
. Preparing and giving speeches
. Giving impromptu talks
. Controlling their voice and body gestures
. Giving constructive feedback
. Learning to work in a team to generate and facilitate ideas that can be presented to an audience and more.
The learners were assigned to a team and each team was tasked with generating a fundraising idea to present to the school staff, SRA management, parents and Toastmasters at the event.
Learners also prepared small statements on what it meant to be part of the programme. Their personal growth was evident as they stood proudly and delivered heart-felt speeches with confidence and sincerity.
Lynette Saunders, the principal, thanked the Two Oceans Toastmasters Club and the KBSJSRA for their sponsorship, commitment and endorsement into the lives of these 20 young leaders.
Two Oceans Toastmasters Club meets on the first Wednesday of every month at the Mugg and Bean in Longbeach Mall at 18:00.
