SPEAK FOR FAITH 2026 – A joint project of the Catenian Association in Western Australia and Catholic Education Western Australia.

THE SPONSORS
The Catenian Association is a fellowship of active Catholic lay men, originating in England in 1908 and present in Perth since 1977 with currently around 400 members in WA.
Catenians have a love of their Catholic faith and practice and want to encourage emerging young Catholics to express their faith to the world. Hence, the Provincial Council of the Catenian Association in Western Australia resolved to sponsor a public speaking contest for students in WA Catholic Schools.
The aim of the Speak for Faith, Catholic Schools Public Speaking Competition is to provide opportunity and incentive for students of Senior Secondary Religious Education
and Years Five and Six to speak positively on the Catholic faith and develop their public communication skills.
The Competition has been open to all senior secondary students from WA Catholic schools since 2017. In 2025 the competition expanded and welcomed primary students.
The Catenian Provincial Council provides the prize money and additional funds to enable competitors from country schools to take part.
The Catenians in WA also sponsor Catholic university students with needs-based bursaries to cover accommodation at Thomas More College in Crawley and merit-based
scholarships for students at the University of Notre Dame Australia.


INFORMATION FOR SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS

  • Teachers of Senior Secondary Religious Education (Year 10, 11 or 12) are asked to identify possible candidates and help them prepare to take part in
    the competition.
  • Teachers of Year Five and Six are asked to identify possible candidates and help them prepare to take part in the competition.

    Please complete the registration Form before Friday, 26 June via Speak For Faith 2026 – Fill in form.
    This Form will need to be submitted for each student being nominated.
  • STUDENT NOMINATIONS
    Each Catholic secondary or composite school is invited to nominate two (2) Senior
    Secondary Religious Education students (Year 10, 11 and/or Year 12) for the
    Competition.
    Each primary school is invited to nominate two (2) Primary students (Year 5 and/or
    Year 6).
    Candidates from regional and remote schools can choose to participate via TEAMS.
    From the heats, finalists will be chosen.

    SENIOR SECONDARY CANDIDATES
    Secondary speeches to be about: current issues for the Catholic religion and how the
    Catholic religion is authentic and relevant to the changing values and attitudes in society.
  1. Senior Secondary candidates are asked to research and prepare a speech,
    drawing on the curriculum material studied in Senior Secondary Religious
    Education, so that they can speak on the connection between religion and life
    from a Catholic faith perspective.
  2. Secondary competitors will have a minimum of 4 minutes and a maximum of 5
    minutes to speak on their prepared topic.
  3. Immediately afterwards, they will be given an unseen topic. After a few minutes
    of preparation, they will speak on this topic for up to two minutes.

    PRIMARY CANDIDATES
    The primary speeches to be based on one of the following options:
  • The teachings of Jesus: e.g. a story in the bible that teaches people about God and
    God’s love for all.
  • The importance of prayer in people’s lives.
  • Why Christians show acts of kindness and service
  • Why Catholics find participating in the sacraments important for their lives.
  1. Year Five and Six candidates are asked to prepare a speech, drawing on one of
    the options above.
  2. Primary competitors will have a minimum of 2 minutes and a maximum of 3
    minutes to speak on their prepared topic.
    • Immediately afterwards, they will be given an unseen topic. After a few minutes
      of preparation, they will speak on this topic for up to two minutes.

      ADJUDICATION
      The judging panel will consist of three independent adjudicators.
      A member of the Catenian Association executive will act as Master of Ceremonies.

      VENUE
      All heats and finals will be held in:
      James Nestor Hall
      Catholic Education Western Australia
      50 Ruislip Street,
      West Leederville

      DATES
      Speak for Faith will be held during the Catholic Performing Arts Festival from 2.30pm – 6pm on the following days.
      Heat 1: Monday 24 August
      Heat 2: Tuesday 25 August
      Final: Monday 31 August
      Contestants will be assigned to a session during which they will give their
      speeches. Finalists will be invited back to repeat their presentations.

      PRIZES
      Secondary students
      $700 for first place
      $350 for second
      $150 for third place
      Primary students
      $200 for first place
      $150 for second
      $100 for third place

      All participants will receive a certificate. The three place getters will also receive a medal
      and the School of the winner will be presented with a medallion of recognition.

      QUESTIONS
      Any questions about the competition can be directed to:
      Diana Alteri via Teams chat, Teams call 9380 1825 or email diana.alteri@cewa.edu.au