Melhuish Madness: The Art of Speech

10 February 2026Miguel N, Whittall '28

At Brentwood, students participate in an activity called Melhuish across all grades 8-12. It’s an opportunity for participants to either learn or get better at speaking in front of a group of people. English classes do different Melhuish formats.

Named in honor of Ms Beth Melhuish, an esteemed faculty member and Houseparent who dedicated two decades to the English department, the Melhuish is a cornerstone of the Brentwood experience. It transforms the daunting task of public speaking into a slightly more enjoyable challenge for students.

The challenge is structured to progressively build confidence as students move through high school. At the beginning of the year, the focus begins with poetry recitation, vocal inflection, and presence. This ensures that public speaking becomes a journey for everyone, not just those who are naturally drawn to speaking in front of crowds.

The Melhuish is divided into two different formats, poetry and persuasive speech. The poetry component focuses on the performance of literature, requiring students to internalize and express the emotional core of a poem. For the persuasive speech, students must master the use of ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade an audience.

The journey culminates in a competition where top performers from in class move on to the next phase, where they present their speech to the English Department Head, Mr Paul Collis to determine whether or not they will represent their grade at our weekly assemblies by reciting their speech in front of the entire school. This professional setting provides a platform for students to showcase their growth and find their unique voices.

While only a few students truly get to enjoy the spotlight, the true victory lies in the collective development of the student body. By the time students reach the end of their time at Brentwood, the fear of presenting to crowds of people is instead turned into a cherished platform for their ideas and future leadership roles.

Miguel N, Whittall ‘28

Where Students Choose To Be