Crafting Your Year 8 Farewell Speech:

A Guide to Impactful Whaikōrero

Introduction: The Power of a Two-Minute Speech

• Welcome to your speech-writing journey!
• Your task: Create a 2-minute farewell speech
• Theme: Celebration
• Goal: Share one meaningful message
• Remember: It's not about length, it's about impact

Common Traps to Avoid

• The Boring Open: Don't start with "My name is..."
• The "And then I did..." List: Avoid listing every event
• The Thank-You Marathon: Don't thank everyone individually
• Think-Pair-Share: Discuss with a partner which trap you think is easiest to fall into and why

Finding Your Core Message

• Identify your "Anchor Experience"
• This is a specific moment that taught you something important
• Examples:
• Overcoming a challenge,
• an opportunity you had,
• an experience you will always remember,
• an interaction that taught you something that will help you at high school or in life,
• learning from a mistake, or
• stepping out of your comfort zone
• Compass Points: Move to a corner based on which type of experience resonates with you most

Defining Your Key Message

• Use this formula: "My experience taught me that [Key Message/Big Idea]"
• Examples:
• Resilience: "It's okay to fail, as long as you get back up"
• Collaboration: "The best ideas come from listening to different perspectives"
• Patience: "Great things take time and dedication, not just talent"
• Empathy: “Understanding other people’s experience made me realise…’
• Integrity: “I realised it was up to me to make it happen.’

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Speech Structure: The 5 Parts

• Mihi/Pepeha
• The Hook (30-40 words): Grab attention with a powerful statement or question
• The Story (100-120 words): Tell your Anchor Experience with specific details
• The Message (70-90 words): State your Key Message clearly
• The Exit (30-40 words): Summarize thoughts about the future and say farewell

The Hook: Making a Strong Start

• Grab the audience's attention in the first 30-40 words
• Start with a powerful statement or question
• Avoid beginning with "My name is..."
• Think-Pair-Share: Create a hook and share it with a partner for feedback

The Story: Bringing Your Experience to Life

• Use 100-120 words to tell your Anchor Experience
• Include specific details to make your story vivid
• Focus on one strong story that proves your main point
• Remember: Show, don't just tell!

The Message: Sharing Your Wisdom

• Use 70-90 words to state your Key Message clearly
• Share advice or a fitting quote that supports your message
• Connect your personal story to a bigger idea
• Reflection Question: How does your message apply to others?

The Exit: Leaving a Lasting Impression

• Use 30-40 words to wrap up your speech
• Summarize your thoughts about the future
• Thank the school community (but keep it brief!)
• End with a strong farewell statement
• Exit Ticket: Write down one word that describes how you want people to feel after hearing your speech

Tips for Success and Next Steps

• Write in conversational language
• Practice reading aloud and time yourself (aim for 1:45 to 2:15 minutes)
• Get feedback from a peer on your Key Message and Hook
• Remember: Be authentic and speak from the heart
• Closing Circle: Share one thing you're excited about or nervous about for your speech