The Catenian National Public Speaking Competition is open to students aged 16 to 18 years who attend Catholic Schools. Catenian Provinces across Great Britain annually arrange Regional Competitions and invite the Catholic schools and colleges in their areas to send students to compete. The winners of these Regional Competitions are invited to attend the Catenian Association's National Public Speaking Competition Final in Manchester.
Locally, each year we invite students aged 16-18 from Catholic schools across East & West Sussex to participate. Topics are chosen and most schools that participate hold their own in-house competition in the Autumn term to produce their two top performing students. These and the top students from other schools in East & West Sussex join us for our regional heat. This regional heat will be held at the Cardinal Newman School, The Upper Drive, Brighton & Hove, Hove BN3 6ND on the evening of Wednesday 19th March 2025 before an audience and three impartial Judges who will decide the winner. Every participant at this level receives a certificate and both the winner and runner up receives a cash prize. The winner will participate in the Catenian Association Public Speaking Competition National Finals held at the Manchester Conference Centre in September 2025.
Appropriate expenses for the winners attending the Manchester Finals will be met by the Catenians.
In our modern world it is essential that young people equip themselves with the skills to communicate confidently, clearly and effectively. To this end, and organised by local Catenians together with the teachers, family and friends of the entrants in the competition, we are encouraging Catholic schools and colleges across East & West Sussex to participate in this important event.
The competition for Years 11, 12 & 13 students will take place at Cardinal Newman School, The Upper Drive, Brighton & Hove, Hove BN3 6ND on the evening of Wednesday 19th March 2025. The Catenian Association National Public Speaking Competition invites students to speak for four minutes for a chance of winning £200 for their school's charity fund and perhaps to include their participation on their CV for university and their future employment. Each participant will receive a Certificate of Participation and the winner and runners up will each receive a cash prize and a Certificate of Achievement. The winner and runner up from our competition heat in East & West Sussex will go on to compete at the Catenian Association Public Speaking Competition Finals held in Manchester in September 2025.
