Our bespoke, annual Taking Responsibility course is in full swing for Pangbourne Lower Sixth pupils. After their workshops in improving confidence with public speaking, each group presented their ideas at a presentation dinner on what good teamwork looks like. They were also asked to propose ideas as to how the school could improve the Sixth Form experience.

‘As judges, we were looking for not only good content and ideas, but the fluency and originality of delivery,’ said Mrs Elly Hayward, one of the three judges.

Speakers had to avoid sentence-fillers; try to vary tone and intonation; speak with clear volume and diction, and present well as a collective. The winners were students who achieved all of this.

Archie (Harbinger) and Ed (Macquarie) stood out as speaking fluently on their experiences. Both Sophie (St George) and Mollie (St George) grasped the key concept of being memorable in opening and concluding a speech well. Eve (St George) was also commended for speaking extremely well and being one of the few students where English isn’t their first language.

It was Group 2 who were triumphant and the overall winners. Well done to Harry, Freddie, Poppy, Izzy, Dan, Max, Euan, Suzi, Toby and Jemma! They not only spoke well, but praised each other for their individual contributions to the team - displaying excellent teamwork.

At the end of the evening The Head, Mr Thomas Garnier, thanked Mr James Bamforth, Head of Sixth Form, for creating another very special Lower Sixth Taking Responsibility Course.