report on 2007 speech contest
The 2007 Nihongo Cup speech contest was a great success, attracting over 180 entries from 29 different schools. KS3 and KS4 pupils spoke on the theme of “My School”, whereas KS5 pupils had a free choice of theme.
The finals day was held at the Embassy of Japan on the 23rd of June. In addition to the speeches, the programme included entertainment for guests presented by Kakushow and by the Japanese Language Committee.
The winners in KS5 were: first prize, winning a trip to Japan, Tom Collins of Wycliffe College; in second place, Josh Campion of South Wolds School, and in third place Oliver Collins of Pate’s Grammar School.
The winners in KS4 were in first place, Rebecca Rawlinson of Aldercar Community Language College, in second place Samuel Buckland of Temple Moor School, and in third place Laura Wilson of St. Helen’s School.
The winners in KS3 were Talia Goldman, Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls in first place, Holly Harrison of Tavistock College in second place and Barney Main of Dame Alice Owen’s School in third place.
The first prize winners in KS3 and KS4 won a notebook PC donated by Toshiba, in addition to gold medals and Cups for their schools to keep for a year. The second prizes were digital cameras donated by Ricoh UK Ltd, and the third prizes were electronic dictionaries donated by JP-Books (UK) Ltd.
The Japanese Language Committee is grateful to the sponsors: Toshiba, Ricoh UK Ltd, JP-Books (UK) Ltd, JRI Europe, Soho Japan and the JSA (Japanese Speech Awards) for the sponsorship of this event. Thank you too to the Japan Foundation London Language Centre and the Embassy of Japan in the UK for their support in making the day happen.
The finalists and invited guests had a memorable day, enjoying not only the speeches, but also the entertainment and buffet provided.