Castle Douglas High wins COPFS public speaking contest

Castle Douglas High School has won this year's National Schools Public Speaking Competition, organised by the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service.

In last night's national final, senior pupils Niamh and Ayaat secured victory over competitors from Robert Gordon’s College and Glasgow Gaelic School.

Originating in Glasgow in 2012, the competition has since grown to be a national event and part of COPFS’s ongoing strategy aimed at improving understanding of equality and diversity issues. This year’s contest included entrants from 74 schools across Scotland, has run for five months and featured nearly 200 pupils. 

Presenting the trophy to the winners, Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC said: “This competition has given young people across Scotland an opportunity to reflect on what equality and diversity mean for them, to gain experience in public speaking, and I hope, to have fun.

“The standard of the speakers has been exceptionally high. It is an inspiration to see young people speaking on important issues with confidence, passion, knowledge and maturity. All of the pupils and teachers who have taken part in the competition can be proud of their school’s achievements.”