Why Senior Students Need Communication Skills More Than Ever
As students enter the senior years, many families feel pressure to drop “extras” and focus only on exams.
What we consistently see tells a different story.
At senior level, students are assessed not just on what they know — but on how clearly they can think, speak, and express that knowledge. Communication becomes the vehicle for success across every subject, from oral presentations to written assessments and leadership roles.
That’s why our Senior Speech & Drama, Public Speaking and Debate Programme (Years 7–13) is designed as academic support, not a distraction.
How Communication Skills Support Academic Success
Strong communication underpins performance in senior school and beyond. When students can organise ideas clearly and speak with confidence, the impact shows everywhere.
Our programme directly supports:
oral presentations and speeches
essays and written assessments
classroom discussion and participation
leadership roles, interviews, and tertiary pathways
These are not “performance skills” in isolation — they are thinking skills made visible.
What Senior Students Practise
Senior students receive structured, age-appropriate training in:
clear thinking and idea development
structured expression for written and oral assessments
confident speaking under pressure (presentations, interviews, scholarship-style questioning)
real-time discussion, reasoning, and response
Skills are taught progressively and practised consistently, so confidence becomes reliable, not situational.
What Parents Notice
Families who re-enrol during the senior years regularly report:
stronger classroom participation
clearer written expression
more confident presentations
greater calm and clarity in high-pressure situations
These changes matter — not just for results, but for how students carry themselves in senior school and beyond.
Why Families Choose Ten Feet Tall
Ten Feet Tall offers senior communication training at a level rarely available in private education:
Three senior teachers hold diploma-level qualifications in Speech & Drama and Public Speaking
Two teachers, Stephanie and Tracy, are national-level examiners
Over 80% of our exam students achieve the highest honours each year, including National Scholarship winners
Nine students are nominated for Scholarship this year
Many senior students work towards Speech & Drama or Public Speaking Diplomas in Years 12–13
Students consistently report that skills gained from Years 9–13 support school success and the transition to university
We now train other teachers through the Ten Feet Tall Academy, because excellence in communication teaching matters
We know how to teach these skills — and we know how to measure progress.
Accelerated Option: Senior Holiday Programme – Voices in Action
For students wanting fast, focused development, our Senior Holiday Programme – Voices in Action offers accelerated training in:
critical thinking
clarity of expression
confident responses under pressure
This programme is ideal for students preparing for:
exams and scholarships
leadership opportunities
interviews
tertiary study
What to Do Next
👉 Read about Senior Classes:
https://tenfeettall.co.nz/senior-classes/👉 Explore the Senior Holiday Programme – Voices in Action:
https://tenfeettall.co.nz/voices-in-action/Have questions or want advice on the right option for your child?