Notable Achievements

The final word

For the past 25 years, RGS Year 6 students have been recreating notable characters in the School’s Day of Notables presentations. The Capricornus Quarterly caught up with this year’s public speaking winner, Jade Harmsworth, who told the story of Eva Perón, an Argentine actress, politician, activist and philanthropist who served as the First Lady of Argentina from 1946 to 1952

EVA PERON

Jade Harmsworth (Eva Perón)

DAY OF NOTABLES 2021 WINNER What goes through your mind when you start thinking about which notable character you would like to portray for Day of Notables?

I needed to find someone notable and someone that’s famous for something great. I also needed to find a person I could easily portray. Eva Perón was just perfect because she was an actress and I dream of becoming an actress when I’m older. She also fought for women’s suffrage, and I think that’s just incredible. Other people I had in mind were a gymnast and also Olivia Newton-John.

You originally selected Eva Perón because of your interest in acting, what other interesting information did you find out about her life while researching this notable person?

After she died her body went on a global journey for 26 years. She also met her husband during an earthquake. I thought she was just mainly an actress, but I also found out she fought for women’s suffrage and fought for the lives of the poor. She has a lot of interesting facts about her.

Why did you enjoy being involved with Day of Notables?

Ever since 2018 when my sister (Katie Harmsworth, portraying Julie Andrews) won I’ve dreamed of winning Day of Notables. This year was my time to shine and I did it against some tough competition. The final was amazing (with 10 students selected for the final) and everyone deserved to win. It was awesome seeing all the students in Year 6. They all looked incredible.

“It’s (public speaking) is really fun when you get used to it.”

Public speaking can be really enjoyable for many people but for many others it can be a very daunting experience. Day of Notables encourages students to step out of their comfort zone and practice their public speaking skills. Why do you enjoy public speaking and do you have any tips for others who might not be as confident?

I guess, just don’t be afraid of public speaking. No one is going to judge you. It’s really fun when you get used to it. You just have to have a lot of enthusiasm and not be shy. When you do public speaking it’s 100% a sense of pride. It’s just a good feeling.

Day of Notables 2021 finalists

Vidath Wedisinghe

(Barack Obama) Felicity Donovan

(Emma Watson) Kitty Flenady

(Marie Curie) Emma Hilber

(Princess Diana) Magnus Connell

(Iqbal Masih) Ruby Rowland

(Mary Jackson)

The 44th President of the USA from 2009 – 2017. The first AfricanAmerican US President. An English actress who gained recognition for her roles in the Harry Potter movies. Won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2011 for pioneer research on radioactivity. A member of the British royal family, the first wife of Prince Charles and known for her extensive charity work. A Pakistani Christian child labourer and activist who campaigned against abusive child labour in Pakistan. An American mathematician and aerospace engineer at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. A Pakistani activist for female education and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. A South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, statesman and philanthropist. South African President (1994 – 1999). A mining engineer and athlete who was caught in a grassfire during a 100km ultramarathon.

Riya Chakravarthy

(Malala Yousafzai) Sanula Mudalige

(Nelson Mandela) Grace Francis

(Turia Pitt)