On Monday lunchtime, we held the 2nd Annual AUC Cup - a Latin speaking competition for SII to commemorate the founding of Rome on April 21st 753BCE.
Latin poetry recitals not only showcase the beauty of ancient verse but also hone a range of transferable skills. Reciters develop exceptional verbal communication abilities, mastering pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm to convey the nuances of the Latin language effectively. Memory skills are paramount as performers commit lengthy passages to heart, sharpening their recall and concentration. Additionally, the performance aspect cultivates confidence, as reciters learn to engage and captivate an audience through their delivery. Analytical skills are also exercised as performers delve into the meaning and context of the poetry, enhancing their critical thinking and interpretation abilities.
This year's competition saw two competitors go head to head to win the trophy. First up, Erica McE gave a rousing performance of an extract of Virgil's Aeneid celebrating the founding of the city of Rome. In contrast, Sarah R opted to recite a passage from Ovid's Tristia in which Ovid is lamenting being exiled from Rome.
Both girls gave excellent performances, leaving our judges with a difficult decision to make. Following some discussion, Mrs Ingham and Mr McCay - both former Latin and Classical Studies Teachers - agreed that there was one competitor who had narrowly edged ahead in terms of clarity and pronunciation and declared Sarah R the winner!
Congratulations to Sarah and Erica for successfully tackling this challenge and doing so with great determination and tenacity.