Rotary Junior Youth Speaks Competition

The 2026 Rotary Junior Youth Speaks Competition, hosted at St Mary’s School, was an inspiring evening celebrating confidence, creativity and communication. Organised in partnership with the Rotary Club of Gerrards Cross and Chalfont St Peter, this annual event gives pupils aged 9-11 the opportunity to develop their public speaking skills, share their ideas and grow in confidence through teamwork and performance.

The audience enjoyed a wide range of thoughtful and engaging speeches, covering topics from learning through failure and the progress of women’s sport, to shaping your own future and protecting endangered animals. Each team spoke with clarity and conviction, often adding a touch of humour along the way – making the judges’ task no easy one.

Our sincere thanks go to the evening’s judges – Dr Ann Hall, Mr Marcus Lee and Mrs Pattie Wallington – for generously giving their time and expertise. We are also grateful to Professor Sam Salek, who served as Master of Ceremonies and shared his insight and encouragement with our young speakers.

Thank you to the staff and participating schools who helped make the evening such a success and particularly to St Mary’s for organising and hosting the event.