By KATH GANNAWAY
WHATEVER age, most people will admit to having a few butterflies in the tummy when they get up to speak before an audience.
The Patch Primary School’s grade six students had those butterflies well and truly in hand at their speech night on Monday, 24 December.
For the past eight years grade six students have been coached in public speaking as part of the Taming the Butterflies Program presented by Nola Sharp and Bill Farman from Lilydale Toastmasters Club.
The students presented a Toastmasters-style program with students taking on all the roles involved in running a tight and entertaining meeting, including toastmaster, grammarian, time-keeper, evaluators and speakers.
The students presented some brilliant speeches to an appreciative audience, showing the skills and confidence they have gained over the seven week program.
Teacher Angie Martin said it’s a program that benefits every student.
“It works in so many ways. Some students just want to get up and speak but there are so many other roles.
“It teaches them to listen, how to give constructive and positive feedback, time-keeping, impromptu speaking and how to collect their thoughts.
“It’s a brilliant skill for life, a skill we all need as communicators and Bill and Nola as facilitators are brilliant, bringing out the best in the children,” Ms Martin said.
Nola and Bill, are veteran Toastmasters and passionate ambassadors for the organisation which has clubs in Kallista, Lilydale, Healesville, Knox and Wandin.
Presenting awards on the night, Nola spoke of the individual achievements of the students, some of whom had a natural bent for speaking, and others who overcame significant hurdles to take an active role in the program.
“It is wonderful to see these young people achieving so much and developing the confidence to not only speak, but to take on leadership roles,” she said.
Bill and Nola also deliver the program at Mount Lilydale College.
