Gala Grand Final

UPDATE - 2010 Gala Grand Final - Friday 9th July 2010

The highlight of the year, the Jack Petchey "Speak Out" Challenge Gala Grand Final, was held on Friday 9th July, 2010 at the Mermaid Conference & Events Centre, London.

This year, the crown went to Idris Sobande from Central Foundation School in Islington with his entertaining yet thought provoking speech on 'Are you ready' - asking is the world ready for a black James Bond.  Along with his title of "Speak Out" Champion 2010, Idris also wins a cash bond of £2000 for himself PLUS £3000 for his school - no doubt they will be VERY happy with that!

Runner-up this year was Mae-Li Evans from Haggerston School, Hackney talking about ...'Procrastination'.  Mae-Li took home a cheque for £250.

This year, third place went to Mayward Martindale from Norbury Manor Business and Enterprise College, Croydon.  Mayward's moving and emotional speech on 'The Cruelty of War' won her a cheque for £150.

Max Winston came fourth and received a cheque for £100.  Max from JFS, Brent, spoke with wit and intelligence on 'Not even semi important' - a speech about the semi-colon!

The final winner on the night was Ian Tasker from The Royal Docks Community School in Newham.  Ian won the 'Teacher of the Year' award for his outstanding effort in supporting the "Speak Out" Challenge and took home a cheque for £200 to spend on any school project of his choice.

The evening was a huge succes and a comment from one of the judges, Dr Zoe Williams aka Sky One's Gladiator 'Amazon' sums up the event: "Congratulations for putting on such an excellent event.  I was inspired by the youngsters - what a wonderful thing the Jack Petchey "Speak Out" Challenge is!" 

 UPDATE - 2009 Gala Grand Final - Friday 10th July 2009

The conclusion of the Jack Petchey "Speak Out" Challenge 2009 was held on Friday 10th July at 7pm at the world renowned Mermaid Conference & Events Centre, London, EC4V 3DB.

Eniola Alonge from Hatcham's College and winner of the Lewisham Regional Final took the winner's trophy home after delivering her touching yet amusing speech on 'The Way we Were'.  Eniola not only has the honour of being the Jack Petchey "Speak Out" Challenge winner for 2009 but also becomes the first girl to win the Challenge!  As well as that she wins a cash bond of £2000 for herself AND £3000 for her school!

The runner-up was Yinka Oyelade from Wallington High School for Girls, the Sutton Regional Final Champion.  Yinka spoke very wisely about 'The Beauty of Lies' and took home a cheque for £250.

Third place went to Helen Chamberlain from Bishop Ramsey School, Hillingdon.  She spoke about 'Poverty in Africa' and walked away with a cheque for £150.

Fourth place went to Precious Oyelade from St Martin in the Fields School, the Lambeth Regional Final Champion.  Precious entertained the audience of 600 people with her speech on 'Parents Evening' and will take home a cheque for £100.

Yet again, the standard of speaking was extremely high and the judges had a very difficult task picking the eventual winner. 

Another winner on the night went to Kate Moule from Burlington Danes School in Hammersmith.  Kate was nominated by trainer Dallas Leigh-Hill as a teacher who has gone above and beyond the call of duty over the last year with her help and support of the programme.  Ten teachers in total were nominated for their and on the night, Kate was the 'lucky' pick.  She took home a cheque for £500 for a school project of her choice.

PREVIOUS EVENTS - 2008 Gala Grand Final, 10th July 2008

The 2008 Jack Petchey's "Speak Out" Challenge! concluded at the Gala Grand Final on Thursday 10th July 2008, 7.00 pm, at the world renowned Mermaid Conference & Events Centre, London EC4V 3DB, a fitting venue to host the World's biggest youth public speaking competition.

Sultan Ahmed from Little Ilford school, the Newham Regional Champion captured the hearts and minds of the audience, not to mention the first prize valued at £5000. He spoke for three minutes on 'Shortism'. Poking fun at our own prejudices and discriminations he had the audience in tears of laughter as he convinced us that inside every 155cm person is a giant. The 600 members of the audience gave him a standing ovation as he was called to the stage.

The runner-up was Superman, or better known in Central Foundation School for Boys in Islington as Elishima Udorok. He talked about modern day heroes, and takes home a cheque for £250.

Third placed was Georgina Hayfrons with a poignant speech entitled an 'An empty Chair'. Speaking first, her speech was memorable enough to stay in the judges' minds even after another 17 speakers had spoken. Georgina is from Haberdashers ' Askes' in Lewisham.

Fourth place and £100 went to Robert Pearson, with a very funny speech on A Modern Man. Robert was representing Marshall's Park School in Havering.

Feedback on all the speakers was excellent. As Nick Herbert, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice said "It was truly remarkable event. I was blown away by the standard and courage of the young people who spoke"

On the night all 37 Regional Champions were honoured and received a top of the range iPod touch, their Regional Champion's prize.

Another special award was made to a very special person Gill Scott of Warwick School for Boys, in Waltham Forest. Gill was nominated by Jennifer Mackay as a teacher who had gone above and beyond the call of duty during the year. Ten teachers/support staff in total were chosen from dozens of nominations and on the night Gill was the 'lucky' pick. Gill won £1000 for a school project of her choice plus a personal gift. Thanks again Gill!!