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This is an understatement when it comes to Year 10 student, Victoria Hill! So far this year, Victoria has placed fourth with an honourable mention in the United Nations Youth Voice National Finals, won both sections of the RCSW Speech and Leadership contest Junior Division and is a member of the St Stephen’s School debating team competing in the WADL Junior Grand Final in a few weeks’ time! 

Representing Switzerland – the Evatt Trophy Competition.

These achievements are unprecedented in our school’s history … and we’re sure there are many more such accolades to come!

Victoria is by no means an overnight success! Her recent achievements are just the latest in her debating and public speaking career. 

I first discovered an interest in public speaking and world affairs when I was in Year 5.  At the time my mum was a teacher at Greenwood College, and she brought me along to their competition debates and they ended up winning the grand final. Unknowingly I think I picked up an understanding of what makes a successful public speaker through watching that team progress against all odds”. 

Our Rookie Debating competition for Years 6 and 7 was a great opportunity for Victoria to pursue this new-found interest. 

“In Year 6, I gathered a few of my friends and we formed a team. I really enjoyed the competition Looking back, despite the topics being very basic I took a lot of pride on the cases that we brought to the competition. What I think solidified my desire to continue debating at a higher level was when I got my first ever trophy for being the best rookie speaker. My achievements have grown from there, but I believe that a lot of my motivation came from holding my first ever trophy at my primary school assembly”. 

At this year’s Rookie Debating grand final.

Since her start in Rookie Debating, Victoria has continued debating for St Stephen’s School while also coaching and mentoring other up-and-coming debaters with team-mate Jacob Atkinson.

“The only reason I got into public speaking in the first place is I was inspired by those girls from Greenwood College. In a way I think both Jacob and I want to share our knowledge with younger debaters so that hopefully they can be as involved and passionate as we are”. 

Jacob and Victoria also attended the United Nations state conference together earlier this year, participating in two model UN debates as well as the national Evatt Trophy Competition which involves debating mock Security Council resolutions from the position of an assigned country.  

As well as debating, Victoria has also been incredibly successful in public speaking, including the United Nations Youth Voice National finals where she was one of only two placing delegates from WA. 

The UN Youth Voice national competition.

“Becoming a part of UN Youth Voice’s National top five was a really important achievement to me, because it was the first time I had won something independently”.

Off the back of this win, Victoria then went on to the RCSWA Speech and Leadership contest in July. The topic was “If I could change one thing it would be …” and Victoria chose to focus on poverty affecting children.  

Poverty and misfortune impacting children is a cause that has always resonated with me. I have a firm belief that a lot of the issues society faces today stem back to the fact that that children aren’t all raised with the same opportunities as each other.” 

In awarding both The Hon Michael Sutherland OAM Speech Award and The William Maxwell Scott OAM Leadership Award, RCSWA President, Terry Spiro congratulated Victoria, saying “this is a remarkable performance in achieving recognition for yourself and your school by being the overall winner of the Junior Division”.  

The skills and knowledge acquired through public speaking and debating have definitely set Victoria up for an exciting future! 

“In the future I intend to study international relations and law. I’ll have to see where these degrees will lead me after Uni but I’m open to a few things. I would like to continue my work with the UN, so I’m open to exploring some diplomatic pathways. I can also see myself being a lawyer, I’m particularly passionate about family court but they may change by the time I’m studying it. I also really want to get into politics, though realistically this probably won’t happen the second I leave high school, but slowly I want to increase my political engagement and become known in the community. One day I hope to be a politician and leader that people admire”. 

As well as her incredibly supportive family, teachers at St Stephen’s School have helped Victoria develop her passion for speaking, particularly Mr Howie Jakeaway Head of Learning Area – English and Languages.  

“Mr Jakeway has definitely been my number one supporter at St Stephen’s School, and I really appreciate all the support and guidance he gives us. Mr Jakeway is always willing to answer our questions or accommodate us if we need some support. Having family, friends, teachers and the wider community being proud of all my team and I have achieved in the last few years has brought me so much joy”. 

L to R Victoria, Elissa, Jacob and Joshwa.

We’re excited to see what happens next in Victoria’s speaking and debating career … especially in the WA Debating League Junior Grand Final against MLC coming up on 17 October with her teammates Jacob, Elissa and Joshwa. We look forward to sharing further updates on our social media pages!

 Read Victoria’s winning RCSWA Speech and Leadership contest speech here