![Why Public Speaking is a Rite of Passage at Hyde]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760720306/hydeedu/vzvgvk6ulwfpzjh3btsd/565A9866-Edit-HalfRes.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760720306/hydeedu/vzvgvk6ulwfpzjh3btsd/565A9866-Edit-HalfRes.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760720306/hydeedu/vzvgvk6ulwfpzjh3btsd/565A9866-Edit-HalfRes.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1760720306/hydeedu/vzvgvk6ulwfpzjh3btsd/565A9866-Edit-HalfRes.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1760720306/hydeedu/vzvgvk6ulwfpzjh3btsd/565A9866-Edit-HalfRes.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1760720306/hydeedu/vzvgvk6ulwfpzjh3btsd/565A9866-Edit-HalfRes.jpg","width":2200}])
Almost every Saturday morning, the entire school community gathers “Under the Chandelier” in the Mansion for a lesson in public speaking. Finding our voices and summoning the courage to use them with confidence is important. Founder Joseph Gauld had this to say about the goal of becoming an effective public speaker:
One of the greatest human fears is public speaking. We believe this is rooted in our schooling, where we essentially are trained to be listeners to, not "professors" of, knowledge. But view us on the playground, and you see us with a very different persona and voice, one alive in heart, body, and soul.
The benefits are enormous. Once we become comfortable and effective at talking to larger groups, we find ourselves also able to connect to smaller groups and strengthen our personal relationships. The process brings out a deeper part of ourselves that makes us more real, interesting, sensitive, and open to others. We then begin to create the powerful synergy that enables them and us to realize higher personal bests beyond our own efforts: 1 + 1 = 3.
Skills we have worked on throughout the year include:
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Using Your Playground Voice
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Deep Breathing
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Body Language
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Speech Foundations
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Eye Contact
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Gestures
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Owning the Pause
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Removing Filler Words
But as we wrap up the winter term, we will move into the phase where we encourage each student to stand up to talk about a defining moment, an important relationship, or a vision for the future. These moments of sharing bring the whole community together.
Public speaking is not always high on everyone's wish list for Saturday morning, but it is something special at Hyde. Alumni often speak about this as a key part of their Hyde education, and it continues to be one of the pillars of our curriculum with its focus on helping young people discover their unique potential!
Laura D. Gauld '76
President