Loveday Writing

Write a speech for a person of high status who is suddenly interrupted in the middle of it (Alan Aykbourn)**

First Day of School

The school’s outdoor amphitheatre was filled with students, Principal Harders was ready to go, to begin the same speech she gives to new students at the beginning of every school year.

“Good morning students, and welcome to McGeorge High School. I know today is a big day, you finished primary school at the top of the social pyramid, and now you’re starting over in a new school at the bottom of the pyramid and you may feel a little uncomfortable and unsure on your first day. However, everyone here, including myself, will do our absolute best to make you all feel welcome and ensure that the next five years for you will be one of the best experiences of your life.

One way that you can all make sure that your experience at McGeorge High School is one of the best of your life is to make sure that you treat everyone around you with the same respect that you expect and want from everyone else. If you don’t, if you bully or mistreat people, or do anything wrong, you will be disciplined and it will go on your permanent record.

Anyway, welcome again, and we truly hope that by the end of your five years here, that you’ll think of all of us like family.”

“YEAH RIGHT, YOU LIAR! WHAT ABOUT YOUR FAMILY, THE ONE YOU RAN OUT ON! OR HAVE YOU GOT A NEW ONE NOW!?”

Principal Harders didn’t have to look far for her unexpected heckler, she looked up to see Amber, her ex-stepdaughter at the top of the amphitheatre stairs, staring her down with an evil grin. Principal Harders wondered why her second ex-husband decided to send her evil ex-stepdaughter to her school. She tried her best not to shrink back into herself as she realised that Amber would make her life hell over the next five years.

**Reference: Marsden J 1998, Everything I Know About Writing, Pan Macmillan, Australia.