03 Dec 2017
There is no doubt that the students at Bankstown Intensive English Centre (BIEC) can talk and they can do it so well, just like all the other students at their own IECs who are being prepared for High School studies. This year's Oratory Showcase event went back to its "birthplace", where this annual event first started: Chester Hill Intensive English Centre (IEC) on Thursday 30 November 2017. The Deputy Principal of Chester Hill IEC Ms Mee Lin Liau was the host this year as she was 6 years ago when it all started in the same Hall and it was another impeccable organisation from her and her staff at Chester Hill IEC and Chester Hill HS! THANK YOU CHESTER HILL IEC!!
The topics were AMAZING and so many!! 2 or 3 students from each of the IECs across Sydney and Wollongong made the audience have a tear or two in their eye, giggle and laugh, think carefully and of course to admire each one of the speakers! Here is an example of the different and most interesting topics presented by the students: "Social Media is making us less connected", "Importance of Sleep", "Look out for Robots", "Students should learn a second language at school!", "Let's work together", "My mother, Syria", "The effects of global warming" and "Should we have homework??" which made people laugh and take sides whether students should have homework or not!! All students were awarded with a trophy which had a microphone on it and their name engraved on the plaque so that they could remember this special day in their lives, speaking in front of a big audience! For some students it was actually their first time in their first few months in Australia speaking in a public place! The IECs that participated this year were: Beverly Hills IEC, Cabramatta IEC, Chatswood IEC, Chester Hill IEC, Evans IEC, Fairfield IEC, Holroyd IEC, Kogarah IEC, Lurnea IEC, Marrickville IEC, Marsden IEC, Miller IEC, Warrawong (further south from Wollongong) IEC.
Bankstown IEC was represented by Level 3 students Toma TAMO, Marwah ALKHAMEESI and Alieu TURAY. Alieu presented his speech named "My story" and Marwah and Toma presented a speech named "Ambitions". After the wonderful speeches and the equally wonderful cultural program, the students were treated to lunch and some entertainment! A proud moment for all IECs as they get together once a year and showcase their students' speaking talents!
In attendance were the NSW Department of Education's Equity Leader Ms Nell Lynes, the Intensive English Program Advisor Ms Christine Tiekle, the Principal of Chester Hill HS Ms Zeina Dabaja, other High School Principals, Deputy Principals, Head Teachers of other IECs, Teachers as well as General Manager at the Australian Business Community Network Ms Samantha Luck and English and Linguistics Professor Ken Cruikshank. The Master of Ceremonies was Bankstown IEC Head Teacher Mr Dimitrios Kametopoulos who has been presenting and co-organising this event the last few years. Well done Bankstown IEC and WELL DONE all IECs!!! Let's all get ready for the 2018 event!!
