Hillside Primary School’s hopes for an inter-school spelling bee competition bore first fruits last week.
The school invited pupils from Wavecrest and Rocklands primary schools to compete for top spelling honours at Rocklands Library on Wednesday June 12.
First place winners in their category for grade 3 was Rocklands pupil, Micah Abrahams, grade 2 Wavecrest pupil, Lazslo Petersen and grade 1 Hillside pupil Hailey Williams
Grade 2 Hillside pupil, Noah Mac Master’s, mother was in hospital for a few months and could not make the spelling bee but he did well even though his mother could not attend, said Hillside teacher, Abigail Cloete.
Lazslo’s mother, Lesley Ann Petersen, said she is very proud of him.
“He never ceases to amaze me; he is a very self-caring and self-confident child. He is a fast learner especially with spelling. It didn’t take long to sit with him and help him practise.”
The spelling bee was initiated by Ms Cloete, who has been doing it for four years. This year was the first time she reached out to other schools to take part but the plan is to expand the competition and involve more schools, she said.
Hillside Primary School teacher Nakita Heneke assisted as facilitator at the semi-finals on Tuesday June 11 and the finals on Wednesday June 12.
Roscoe Williams, programme manager for Read-to-Rise, was a judge at the event.
“They will look back at this event and remember. It is very important to expose them to a spelling bee and give them this platform. This helps them with reading and identifying new words,” he said.
He encouraged them to have fun and enjoy the event.
Nonyaniso Kotyi, senior librarian at Rocklands library who was also a judge said she was proud of the pupils.
She encouraged parents to get involved in their children’s reading.
“This is a good way to exercise their ability to read and become acquainted with it,” she said, adding that the library hosts reading programmes and storytelling sessions after school.
She also encouraged patrons to return their library books. She said outstanding library books affected the library’s funding and other patrons who are waiting for the books.
For more information on Rocklands library’s programmes visit the library, call 021 814 1570 or follow their Facebook page.
