Frayne
This year's Frayne Speech Festival brought 14 Mercy & Mercy affiliated School from across Australia together for a day filled with powerful words, brave voices and outstanding performances across debating, public speaking and voice choir.
Debating
Across every round, students showed just how much preparation, poise and quick thinking go into a great argument. What stood out wasn't only the strength of the cases built, but the respect shown between opponents, real listening, genuine engagement, and a willingness to be persuaded as well as to persuade.
Public Speaking
Public speaking asks something personal of every competitor: not just to prepare a speech, but to stand up and truly be heard. The day delivered speeches that had the room laughing out loud, and others that left it completely silent, hanging on every word. Personal stories, bold opinions and carefully crafted arguments were delivered with growing confidence as the day went on.
Voice Choir
There's something different about the way a room feels when a group of voices speaks together, and this year's voice choir performances reminded everyone why. Dozens of individual voices blended into something far bigger than any one of them, with tight rhythm, careful dynamics and real energy carrying out into the audience.
The Awards Ceremony that closed the festival was a fitting tribute to the hard work, courage and growth throughout the day. The ceremony reflected on the spirit of Catherine McAuley and Ursula Frayne, and on the Mercy Education Values that continue to guide our schools. Mercy Education Interim CEO Sheree Limbick joined the presentations at the awards table, presenting trophies and perpetual shields before offering closing remarks to the festival.
Congratulations to every student who competed, performed and represented their school with courage and heart and made the 2026 Frayne Speech Festival such a memorable day.
Siobhan Bloomfield
Assistant Principal, Student Wellbeing & Engagement