In brief: Victoria College and Haute Vallée School have been named joint winners of the States Assembly’s ‘Mark My Words’ oracy competition, with Victoria College student Jayden Ochieng taking the individual prize for best speech. The final, held in the States Chamber, brought together 49 Year 8 students from seven secondary schools.
Two Schools, One Shield
Jersey’s secondary schools have been putting politicians to shame, or at least giving them a run for their money. The States Chamber, more accustomed to the measured tones of elected Members debating the island’s affairs, played host this week to something rather more refreshing: 49 Year 8 students delivering persuasive speeches and subjecting each other to sharp questioning.
The Jersey Evening Post reports that Victoria College and Haute Vallée School were named joint winners at the final of the ‘Mark My Words’ competition, sharing the Mark My Words Shield as well as a £500 prize to spend on school resources. Victoria College student Jayden Ochieng went one step further, claiming the individual prize for the best speech of the day.
The seven schools taking part were Beaulieu, Grainville, Haute Vallée, Jersey College for Girls, Les Quennevais, Le Rocquier and Victoria College. This year’s themes were conflict, sustainability and social responsibility, giving the students plenty of meaty territory to work with.
What Is Mark My Words?
Launched in 2025, the Mark My Words competition was designed to encourage persuasive communication and critical thinking among young people. Participating schools complete a three-week unit of work focused on public speaking in a political context, using teaching resources created by the States Greffe.
Students are tasked with crafting a speech of up to three minutes calling for local change. Finalists from each school then compete in the States Chamber itself, delivering their speeches and facing questioning from students representing other schools.
Pip Oliver, education manager at the States Greffe, explained the thinking behind the initiative. “We created Mark My Words to give Year 8 students the opportunity to build on the oracy skills they developed through the Year 6 primary school initiative ‘Speak up, speak out’,” she said. “It also enhances students’ knowledge and understanding of Jersey’s political system.”
Oliver added: “We’re grateful to all the schools who took part in the competition, and particularly to the students who came to the States Chamber today to deliver their speeches, and answer their peers’ questions.”
The Judges Are Impressed
The competition was judged by Deputy Victoria Li and Jersey’s Oracy Development Lead, Andrew Willis. Deputy Li was generous in her praise of the young participants.
“It’s a real privilege to take on the role of competition judge and to hear students’ views shared in this way,” she said. “It was clear that all participants put in a lot of hard work to research and craft their speeches and this preparation shone through in their confident delivery in the States Chamber.”
She was particularly struck by the quality of the questioning rounds. “Opposing teams interrogated brilliantly with thoughtful questions which demonstrated their active listening and ability to challenge ideas on the spot. All the participating students should be very proud of their efforts.”
Source: Jersey Evening Post
