Festival of Speech 2009

Friday 25th September and Saturday 26th September 

Loreto Kirribilli
85 Carabella Street, Kirribilli

The concept of a Festival of Speech for AHIGS was first mooted in the early 1990's by Mr Chris Faisandier, then Principal of Kincoppal - Rose Bay and member of AHIGS.

As Principal of Sacred Heart College in New Zealand, Mr Faisandier was involved with the O'Shea Shield Competition in which about twenty schools from the lower North Island of New Zealand participated.

The purpose of the O'Shea Shield Competition was to encourage students to develop skills in the areas pf public speaking, debating, analysis and rhetoric. So popular was the Competition and so high was the standard of presentation, that the winners of the O'Shea Shield were often featured on New Zealand television.

With the support of the AHIGS membership, Mr Faisandier established the Festival of Speech (then known as the Independent Girls Schools Speaking Competition) in NSW in 1996. The inaugural Festival, spanning Friday evening and all day Saturday, was hosted by Kincoppal - Rose Bay and attended by some fifteen schools.

Today the Festival continues to be hosted annually by an AHIGS member's school. Some twenty five schools now participate and students have the opportunity to perform in the areas of drama, debating, poetry, prose readings, current affairs and religious and ethical questions. The Festival is open to girls from years seven to eleven and offers an important focal point for skill development, personal expression, teamwork and friendship.

This year's Festival was hosted by Loreto Kirribilli www.loreto.nsw.edu.au  and we are all grateful for the hard work, careful planning and unfailing hospitality of the Loreto staff and students. Special thanks go to Loreto's Principal, Ms Janet Freeman and her capable organisers, Mrs Kim Nass and Ms Vivienne Awad. Together, these women guided the skill, warmth and dedication of the Loreto Kirribilli community to produce an exceptional event that will long be remembered.

Thankyou to everyone who participated in this year's Festival of Speech and congratulation to all our competitors. Feedback on the Festival of Speech is always welcome. Please contact the AHIGS Executive Officer on (02) 9888 9499.

During the past eleven years the following schools have hosted Festival of Speech:

1996 - Kincoppal - Rose Bay

1997 - MLC School

1998 - Queenwood

1999 - St Catherine's

2000 - Pymble Ladies' College

2001 - Santa Sabina

2002 - Kincoppal - Rose Bay and Kambala

2003 - Abbotsleigh

2004 - Kambala and Kincoppal - Rose Bay

2005 -  MLC School, Santa Sabina and Kambala

2006 - PLC Sydney

2007 - St Catherine's

2008 - Meriden and Santa Sabina

2009 - Loreto Kirribilli