Jack Petchey's "Speak Out" Challenge!

This week, 50 of our Year 10 students took on the Jack Petchey "Speak Out" Challenge—and absolute credit to them, they brought incredible energy to every single session! Split across two action-packed workshops on Tuesday 6th October and Thursday 8th October, 25 students each day stepped up, took the mic, and delivered some truly unforgettable moments.

Far from a standard classroom lesson, these workshops pushed our Year 10s right out of their comfort zones. From energetic vocal warm-ups to impromptu speaking drills, the room was buzzing from start to finish. The best part? Students were given complete freedom to speak about the issues that matter most to them. Whether diving into mental health awareness, environmental action, or personal life lessons, they didn't hold back. It was fantastic to see them turn their genuine passions and lived experiences into powerful, persuasive speeches.

The sheer growth in confidence over just a few hours was incredible to watch. Students who started the day quiet or nervous ended up standing tall, speaking with real conviction, and captivating the room. By the end of the workshops, every single participant delivered a full two-minute speech live to their peers.

To top off two brilliant days, the stakes were high: 6 standout speakers from across the two sessions have qualified for the prestigious Regional Final, where they 'll represent Ruislip High School on the big stage!