Eighteen sixth form and University students took part in of this year’s English-Speaking Union of Malta public speaking competition at the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry in Valletta. They each had five minutes to speak on the theme, chosen by ESU London: ‘Integrity has no need of rules’.

The winner was Raphael Sammut from De La Salle College, who will represent Malta at the International Public Speaking Competition in London in May.

The runners-up were Seif Abdelkader from Verdala International School and Gian Francesco Peralta from De La Salle College. The other competitors came from St Aloysius’ College, St Martin’s College, G.F. Abela Junior College and St Edward’s College.

The judging panel was headed by Dr James Corby, a senior lecturer and head of the University’s Department of English, and included two other University lecturers, Dr Brenda Murphy and Dr Colette Sciberras.

Prior to the competition a record 46 students from all seven local sixth forms took part in the ESU Malta’s public speaking academy led by its director of education Pia Zammit and assisted by Philip Leone Ganado.