speaking skills, highlight the importance of speech and debate, and showcase our students’ proficiency and talent. Our competitions begin in Grade 3 and Grade 4, when boys select and present a poem, reading, or speech of literary or historical importance. In typical Cathedral School fashion, our approach is not limited to a select group of boys. All students participate in the beginning stages of the competition, and then boys can opt into the public phase of the competition, which is open to parents and students in the division. Boys in Grades 5–8 are selected into the public rounds based upon their performance in the competition’s initial phase. Depending upon the year and grade, students may be asked to recite a famous speech or excerpt from literature, take a position on a political or global issue, deliver a TED Talk, or engage in a structured debate with classmates.
One of the unique features of our scope of competitions is that they are supported by an endowment that allows the winners to work with the Head of School to select a fun outing for their class or to purchase an item for school use. In the past, winners have taken classmates to a Giants game or scheduled a class day in Golden Gate Park. Others have chosen to purchase outdoor ping pong and foosball tables for student use. These rewards make the competitions even more exciting and compelling. Another compelling example of public speaking at Cathedral School comes in the form of Chapel Talks in Grade 4 and Grade 8. Every year, each Grade 4 and Grade 8 student composes and delivers a Chapel Talk in Grace Cathedral to an audience of his peers, family members, and guests. These talks typically describe a life event that has influenced a student’s world view or involve reflections on a
student’s time at Cathedral School. This practice has become one of the most important culminating experiences of a boy’s time at Cathedral School. The opportunity to speak in Grace Cathedral, which has hosted some of the world’s most famous leaders and dignitaries, represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As we continue to study the influence of our Public Speaking program, we can’t help but imagine continued opportunities for programmatic growth. Recently, we have discussed whether we might create a debate class in our Upper School and hire a full-time debate coach. Public Speaking continues to generate such great interest at our school, and we expect to work hard to produce capable young men who communicate effectively and with confidence. R&G
2024–2025 red & gold | 21
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