At the end of the Stage 1 session, before he announced the winner, Mr McNair told the parents in the room they should be “scared” as their children are “dangerous”.

But how could this possibly be the case as everyone had just witnessed these very charming and engaging students in action?

He said they were dangerous, and their parents should be scared, because the pupils in front of him were so articulate that they will never lose an argument.

About 87 students from around the valley gathered at Singleton Heights Public (SHPS) last Wednesday and Thursday to compete, and the pressure was on with only the winners of each stage progressing to the next level of the competition.

Before passing his judgment, Mr McNair told the competitors, and a room of proud parents, what he looked for in competent ‘Public Speaker’.

Confidence, to look at people when speaking, to appear natural, and to present a speech that tells us something and is interesting, are the things he seeks.

And, as it turns out, two students with the home ground advantage managed to impress him.

SHPS students Coel Mulready (Stage 3) and Harrison Najor (Stage 1) took out their respective categories.

Although co-ordinator Kylie Stafford said all the contestants should be congratulated as it is a “big thing” to get up and speak in front of people.

“Public speaking gives students the opportunity to develop self-confidence and self-belief,” she says.

A number of other local students received highly commended, including: Aden Mathers (Branxton) Public School, Emily Cody (Branxton Public School), Jacinta Mackenzie (Singleton Heights Public School), Xander Sheath (Singleton Heights Public School), Jorja Mathers (Branxton Public School), Brianna Tudor (Singleton Public School) Jack Tickle (Branxton Public School) Lucy Hungerford (Singleton Public School), Piper Betts (Singleton Heights Public School), Hannah Enright (Branxton Public School) and Zoe Tudor (Branxton Public School).