Communication Skills

Communication Skills is an annual enrolment. If you would like to enrol your daughter, please complete the form on the right hand side of this page and select ‘Communication Skills’ when completing the form.

In addition to the Student code of conduct, Communication Skills students are:

• Expected to be committed to this subject.
• Responsible for arriving on time to each lesson.
• Responsible for bringing all required materials to lessons.
• Responsible for completing required work and rehearsal at home.
• Expected to notify their Communication Skills teacher and/or the Head of Speech and Drama if they are unable to attend their lesson. If less than 24 hours notice is given, the student will be charged for their lesson.
• Expected to arrive on time to each event they elect to perform in. If they are unable to attend on the day, they must notify their Speech and Drama teacher and the Head of Speech and Drama by email.
• Expected to conduct themselves professionally when representing Ascham at external events.
• Expected to present themselves in correct school uniform or costume (when required) at events.

In addition to the Student code of conduct:

• Students must arrive at all soirées at least 15 minutes prior to the start time of the concert. They are expected to remain for the duration of the soirée and are not permitted to leave until the conclusion of the event. If family members are in attendance, they too are expected to remain for the duration of the soirée.
• Students are responsible for organising their own materials, such as palm cards and audio/visual presentations, prior to the soirée.
• Recording devices including cameras and video recorders are not permitted. The Speech and Drama teachers will take photographs of the presenters.
• Students are expected to be well-prepared and well-rehearsed for each presentation. They must conduct themselves professionally on stage.

Students are given the opportunity to undertake examinations from the Trinity College London syllabus each year. Trinity College London offers an unrivalled choice of qualifications for students of communication subjects, at all levels of experience and ability. The syllabus provide a structured framework designed to encourage the progressive development of integrated performance and communication skills over time. Solo graded exams and diplomas are fully accredited in the UK and recognised internationally. Additional ATAR points are awarded by a selection of universities for students who achieve a Distinction in Grade 8 or Diploma Level examinations in Year 12.

Trinity College London Website

The Communication Skills Club is offered to students in Year 6 who want to build their confidence and presenting skills in a supportive, engaging and fun environment. This course is an introduction to the Trinity College London Communications Skills Syllabus, which is available to students from Year 7.

This Soirée offers an opportunity for students studying the Communication Skills syllabus, as well as students selected for the Public Speaking team, to present to an audience of peers and parents, to continue to develop their presentation skills.

Senior students have the opportunity to register and perform in the Sydney Eisteddfod. The Sydney Eisteddfod is the largest competitive performing arts festival in Australia. The Eisteddfod was established to encourage the development of artistic, elocutionary and creative skills. It provides students of Communication Skills with a unique opportunity to build their confidence and performance skills, learn from fellow performers and to receive constructive feedback in an enjoyable and supportive environment. The competition takes place between May and September on various dates/venues. Students can participate in both Prepared and Impromptu Speaking events.

Senior students are eligible to be selected to represent the School at the IGSA Festival of Speech held in October. The team will be selected by the Head of Speech and Drama in consultation with the Speech and Drama/Public Speaking teachers and the Head of Co-curricular.

Students are invited to trial for the Public Speaking team. Trials take place at the start of Term 1 each year. To find out more about the Public Speaking Team, please go to the Public Speaking Page.

From time to time additional opportunities will arise such as volunteering at Public Speaking/Speech and Drama events, compering at concerts and more.

No, Communication Skills is an annual enrolment. Should you wish to enrol or withdraw you will need to fill out the relevant forms located on this page.

Currently, the Communication Skills program is offered to all Senior School students. Students will often start their lessons in Year 7 and continue on until Year 12, but students are welcome to join at any time.

Yes, you can enrol in lessons at any stage of the year, subject to availability.

You can make a request, however a change of lesson cannot be guaranteed as most people tend to keep the same lesson time for the whole year. This means that all places are often filled.

Absence due to illness
Unless reasonable notice (minimum 24 hours) is given, any absence due to illness will be charged to your account. A makeup lesson can be scheduled if agreed upon by both parties.
Non attendance
If your daughter forgets to turn up, this lesson will be charged to your account.
Absence due to excursions/incursions
Occasionally, your daughter’s lesson may fall on the same day as an excursion or incursion. In this instance, the lesson will be cancelled and a makeup lesson will be arranged where possible.

The enrolment form is available on the right hand side of this page.  Please select ‘Communication Skills’ when completing the form.

Lessons take place before school, recess, lunch and after school. For students in Year 8 and higher, lessons will often take place in a study. The timetable is developed in consultation with all other co-curricular areas, in order to try to ensure a balance of activities each day.

Students have the opportunity to take part in the Sydney Eisteddfod in the Prepared Speech or Impromptu Speech sections and are invited to participate in an Ascham Communication Skills Soirée. They are also eligible for selection for the IGSA Festival of Speech team and are encouraged to trial for the competitive Public Speaking team.

While all students will learn about different styles of communication and develop their vocal and a physical expression, the Speech and Drama syllabus focuses on working with poetry and dramatic texts; storytelling and acting, while the Communication Skills syllabus focuses on planning and executing presentations and speeches based on current affairs, social issues, and the students’ own interests, as well as developing interpersonal skills including interview and negotiation techniques. Both programs are designed to help students find their own unique voice and express themselves both creatively and intelligently with confidence and poise.

Students are given the tools to ensure they can communicate effectively and confidently. The lessons will cover subjects such as impromptu speaking, non-verbal communication, vocal techniques, speech writing, speech analysis, presenting, audio/visual aids and communicating in different contexts.

Communication Skills examinations are not compulsory. Many girls appreciate the opportunity to receive feedback on the items they have developed through the year and to gain qualifications as they move through the various grade levels. There are times when a student may wish to sit an in-house modified examination instead.