2017 FSFA Japanese Speech Contest

FSFA Japanese Speech Contest

The Frankston Susono Friendship Association held its annual Japanese Speech Contest at Monash Peninsula Campus on Friday 8^th September. The Association is a group of volunteer citizens who administer Frankston’s sister city relationship with Susono, Shizuoka in Japan on behalf of the Frankston Council. FSFA have worked to promote Japanese culture, the study of Japanese language plus student and cultural exchanges since the sister city relationship was established in February 1982.

The Association invited students from local primary and secondary schools for this year’s contest and 80 entries were received. Contestants were required to recite a short self-introduction followed by a set piece based on the story of Hachiko the loyal Akita breed of dog, and were judged by a panel of Japanese speakers. Contestants competed in Lower Primary, Upper Primary, Japanese Environment (Primary), Junior Secondary, Intermediate Secondary, Japanese Environment (Secondary) and Senior Secondary divisions.

FSFA Chairperson Peter Patterson welcomed all contestants, their parents and teachers before explaining the work undertaken by the Association and the importance of the annual contest in promoting the teaching of Japanese language in our local schools.

FSFA Chairperson Peter Patterson

The evening’s program started with the primary divisions kicking off proceedings and over 35 nervous and excited contestants presenting before the judging panel. Individual trophies were awarded to the top three students in each division, with the top contestant in each division also awarded a perpetual trophy which is displayed with pride at their school for the next 12 months.

Results:

Lower Primary:

1^st           Olivia B (Benton Junior College)

2^nd          Molly B (Derinya Primary School)

3^rd           Frances W (Derinya Primary School)

Molly B (Derinya PS) - 2nd Lower Primary

Frances W (Derinya PS) - 3rd place Lower Primary

Upper Primary:

1^st           Jorden L (Derinya Primary School)

2^nd          Alyssa L (Derinya Primary School)

3^rd           Tess U (Toorak College)

Jorden L (Derinya PS), Alyssa L (Derinya PS) and Tess U (Toorak College)

Japanese Environment (Primary):

1^st           Joe C (Overport Primary School)

2^nd          Saya P (Overport Primary School)
3^rd           Nalu B (Balnarring Primary School)

Joe C (Overport PS), Saya P (Overport PS) and Nalu B (Balnarring PS)

The secondary schools followed with students presenting a more detailed self-introduction and set piece in each of the 4 divisions. At the conclusion of these speeches the judges commented on the impressive standard of all contestants and recognised the enormous challenge of memorising and presenting a speech in the Japanese language, especially given that the senior division students are required to write, memorise and present a 3 to 5 minute speech on a Japanese themed topic.

Results:

Junior:

1^st           Aayush K (Hillcrest Christian College)

2^nd          Sarah L (Toorak College)

3^rd           Ain M (Haileybury - Newlands)

Aayush K (Hillcrest Christian College)
 - 1st Junior Secondary

Sarah L (Toorak College) - 2nd Junior Secondary

Intermediate:

1^st           Caitlin T (McClelland Secondary College)

2^nd          Joan G (St Peter’s College)

3^rd           Beck F (Hillcrest Christian College)

Caitlyn T (McClelland SC), Beck F (Hillcrest Christian College) and Joan G (St Peter's College)

Japanese Environment (Secondary):

1^st           Sarah F (Frankston High School)

2^nd          Sam F (Frankston High School)

3^rd           Len C (Naranga School)

Sarah F (Frankston HS), Sam F (Frankston HS) and Len C (Naranga School)

Senior:

1^st           Kimberley N (Toorak College)

2^nd          Chloe C (McClelland Secondary College)

3^rd           Kobe S (St Peter’s College)

Kimberley N (Toorak College), Chloe C (McClelland SC) and Kobe S (St Peter's College)

* Please note that some students did not give permission to publish their photo *