Tara wins prestigious Chrystall Prize 2023

Tara K wins the prestigious GDST Chrystall Prize 2023
with her speech on ‘Degrowth is needed to save the world’

Year 11 student Tara has brought home the Chrystall Prize trophy to Croydon High following a triumphant win at the GDST wide Chrystall Prize public speaking competition. Her speech was entitled ‘Degrowth is needed to save the world’.

The esteemed Chrystall Prize competition brings together Year 11 students from across GDST schools to voice their opinions on the most prevalent debates in modern society. Set up in memory of former GDST Deputy Legal Secretary, Chrystall Carter, the competition holds extra meaning for the girls. Chrystall had a strong belief in the power of reasoned argument, and this competition provides a platform for girls to build confidence and have their voices heard.

After participating in an extensive audition process in school and speaking in assembly, Tara competed in the semi-final at Sydenham High against four other GDST schools from South London. After winning this round of the competition, Tara progressed to the overall final at Sheffield High GDST. After a long but comparatively smooth journey to Sheffield High with Ms Howie, Tara wowed the judges and audience alike. She discussed the importance of developing stronger social connections within communities, considering how greater cohesion can fuel degrowth in more developed economies, as people can value and share commodities equitably. She also considered the importance of the developed world empowering developing economies – yet to have their boom – to have sustainable, green growth.

Sheffield High students were amazed that Tara does not study Economics and the judges praised her passion for the subject and her level of understanding – a testament to the importance of wider reading and following your interests beyond the core curriculum. The judges also commended Tara for her ability to engage the audience and the wide range of strategies she used to keep them engaged. Tara used powerful, personal anecdotes from the stories she has been told by her Grandmother to engage the audience of Y10 students from Sheffield High.

We are incredibly proud of Tara and look forward to following the journey of future Year 11 students in the competition next year. Croydon High looks forward to hosting the national final of the GDST Public Speaking competition next year.

Ms Kitty Howie
Second in Charge of English and Academic Scholars’ Coordinator