Sixth Formers help Year 6 find their voice

Year 6 have received valuable oracy mentoring from Year 12, building confidence, connections and public speaking skills.

This term, Year 6 have been learning to find their voice with the help of Year 12 students. Through a vibrant workshop and some exciting additional opportunities, our Sixth Formers built meaningful relationships with Year 6 and helped them to enhance their future seamless transition to a new campus and Senior School environment.

Before meeting with Year 6, Year 12 first received a workshop of their own from public speaking expert Kate Hempsall. In groups, they discussed good techniques in Oracy and assembled a list of effective games and exercises that could build speaking confidence. Students then broke into smaller groups and prepared their workshops to deliver to Year 6 the following week.

The following Monday, Year 12 journeyed up the hill to Berkhamsted Prep, ready to share their newfound oracy knowledge with Year 6. To begin, Year 12 introduced themselves with unique icebreakers and challenged their new Year 6 mentees to do the same. From personal icebreakers like ‘Two truths, one lie’ to a very energetic game of ‘Splat,’ Year 6 were invited to feel comfortable and confident with their new mentors before learning their new oracy skills.

Next on the agenda was some brief education on all the skills that Kate Hempsall had taught Year 12. Each group approached this task differently, with some groups encouraging discussion amongst mentees and others hosting interactive presentations.

“In our group, we’ve just been in there chatting to them, leading them through activities, and showing them good examples of speakers, like Nelson Mandela and Malala,” Theo in Year 12 shared. In another group, Year 6 Lola enthusiastically shared how she had been learning to use “The Three P’s: Pace, Pitch and Pauses” from her mentor’s PowerPoint presentation.

Each group then used their newfound insights to write and perform short speeches. These could be on anything at all, granted that Year 6 were employing their new skills when they spoke. To practise speaking on the spot, many were challenged to stand up in front of their group and speak non-stop for 30 seconds on a random topic. Year 6 had to focus on keeping their audience engaged while also thinking up relevant things to say!

To end the workshops, Year 12 asked their mentees to reflect on how these skills could help them as they approached new challenges. They discussed how oracy could be particularly useful in Year 6’s transition to the Senior School.

“Being able to communicate effectively with your peers is really important,” Year 12 Henry explained to his group. “Good communication can get you through a lot of challenges in life.”

With role model Year 12s in front of them who had already been through this transition, Year 6 ended their oracy training with questions about how it might feel to move through the School. Year 12 were happy to offer advice and show how valuable oracy would be.

“It’s nice to try and give Year 6 the skills that I wish I had been given when I was younger,” Henry shared. “You can really see yourself in them.”

Year 6 also valued this opportunity to connect with the older years: “I think it was really fun meeting up with the Sixth Formers and seeing different views of people who have already gone through the Senior School that we’re about to go to,” Year 6 Lucille reflected.

The baton is now handed to Year 6 to continue developing their public speaking skills beyond the workshop. Their first task is an independent speech, which they will film at home about a topic they are passionate about. Each Year 6 will be tasked to employ all of the tips and tricks that Year 12 has taught them, while also showing confidence and eloquence in their speech.

For those who showed a particular confidence and enthusiasm for public speaking, there was a second opportunity to speak: six Year 6 pupils attended a Sixth Form assembly and shared their speeches in front of 500 Sixth Formers in the Centenary Theatre. Parents were invited to watch, and our Year 12 oracy mentors sat in the very front row to cheer their mentees on.

Some of our Year 6s reflected on their performances:

Bea W: “At first, I was really scared, but once my name was called and I went on stage, it was less scary. It went smoothly and worked out OK. I felt confident about my topic and loved listening to everyone else presenting theirs.”

Lucille J: “I really enjoyed connecting with the older years and seeing what it was like at the Senior School. I was nervous at first but excited. I was really proud once I had done it.”

Louis L: “It was quite scary to perform in front of the Sixth Formers. I was nervous before going on, but it got better towards the end. It’s scary, but I think people should try to do it if they want. It felt good that I did it.”

Bella D-K: “It was a good opportunity to perform in front of the Sixth Form. My highlight was overcoming my fears to present in the first place, and it has given me the confidence to do it again.”

Aima U: “I think I did pretty well, and I was confident speaking. I used facial expressions to show different points. At first, I was nervous in front of the older children but once I went up, I was fine.”

For Year 12, the Oracy workshop has been a powerful undertaking. Not only have students connected with the younger years and become Year 6’s personal cheerleaders, but they’ve also built valuable skills in preparing, practising and delivering a workshop session. This will be vital practise for our Sixth students’ university or working life. “It’s been useful for us to practise working within little pairs and teams, making a presentation and presenting with people. That’s not a skill that we do very often,” Theo reflected.

“All in all, it’s just a really amazing opportunity to have,” Year 12 Brooke reflected.

The oracy workshop has been a wonderful opportunity for pupils across Schools to connect and support each other to succeed. Along the way, both year groups have learned valuable skills to prepare them for their next stage in life.

Thank you to Year 12 for running these sessions for our infectiously enthusiastic Year 6, and we hope both groups have found great value in practising their public speaking.