Student Election Ready!

“G.A.T.E.WAYS Online: Student Election Ready!” will provide an opportunity for gifted and highly able students to come together with like-minded peers to engage in a range of thought-provoking workshops. The three workshops will develop self-awareness, speech preparation, speech delivery, communication and intrapersonal skills. Effective communication skills allow students to form connections, influence decisions and discover improved inner-confidence. 2020 has presented society with numerous challenges and our need to communicate is more prominent than ever!

 

A Speech to Sizzle! with Ron Thomas
Public speaking is far from scary – with the right tips, it is downright fun. First off, we’ll get everyone improvising on a surprise topic. We’ll then reflect upon the structure and coherence of these improvisations. Now that you’ve taken the plunge, we’ll dive deeper to discover how to prepare a powerful speech. The basic structure is pretty straightforward - from beginning (a clever opening, an introduction, and an audience ‘hook’), then to middle (structural hints, signposts) and finally to end (summing up, linking to the start and ending spectacularly). Then all you need is to add is a little magic and you’ll have a speech that SIZZLES!

Ron knows the fun of public speaking and the joy of moving an audience. He is director and facilitator of ‘Speak with Power’. He has twenty five years’ experience training primary and secondary students in public speaking, leadership and debating skills. Ron is a Gold Level (the Highest Level) Toastmaster and Area Humorous Speaking Champion. He has twice coached student teams to the Debating Association of Victoria Grand Final. He was Gifted and Talented Students Coordinator at his last school. Ron is a published poet and author and also runs writing (and many other) courses for teachers and students all over Australia.
 
 
Speaking with Purpose, Poise and Power 
with Robyne Bowering
Self-awareness is one of the most important skills a leader needs. In this workshop you will explore your ‘why’ (what inspires and motivates you) and consider if anything is holding you back. Understanding your ‘why’ will give you the confidence to be your authentic self when you speak, allowing you to shine and stand out from the rest.

Robyne  is a highly experienced educator and coach focussed on developing people before performance. She is currently working with the Faculty of Engineering at Monash University to redesign their Leadership Program as well as present modules on Effective Communication for their undergraduate and master students. Robyne is also a regular passionate presenter for G.A.T.E.WAYS delivering over thirty different programs in the past six years. 
 
Embrace the Butterflies
with Dimuthu Perera

Public speaking can make our palms sweat and our stomachs churn, but in this workshop we’ll build a set of tools to transform that dread into excited butterflies ready to perform! We’ll see how delivering our words with confidence enhances our voice and message. To gain this confidence, you’ll learn how to pace your speech; the power of the pause; and how to vary pitch, tone and inflection to engage your audience. And best of all, you will learn to use those beautiful butterflies to your advantage! This workshop will also take some time to em-brace technology, given our current set of circumstances this year! How can we enhance our communication skills through Zoom? Is it possible to still connect?

Dimuthu is a transformational coach, public speaking facilitator and the founder of You Inspired.  She is a graduate of Psychology and Information Systems and has over 17 years’ experience working in this area. Dimuthu is also an Advanced Practitioner of Coaching, accredited by the International Coach Guild. She leverages her depth of training, education and experience to help individuals effect change. Her focus is on confidence building through emotional awareness. Through extremely personalised and tailored sessions and workshops, her focus always remains on the individual. She is responsible for the creation of the Wonderful Me Program, which is specifically targeted at building confidence in children through a process of structured activities and coaching.  Dimuthu believes that equipping her students with their own self-awareness and self-confidence is the most long lasting and sustainable way for them to live extraordinary and fulfilling lives. 
 
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