A young Midrand learner has won her school’s spelling bee for the second time in a row.
The Spark Midrand Spelling Bee competition took place on 5 and 6 November with learners from grades R to 7 giving their all.
Deputy principal for Spark Midrand, Lyndle Padayachee explained that for three weeks prior to this event, their youngsters studied the words, given to them by their literacy teachers, at home.
“They wrote weekly tests to obtain the scholars with the highest marks across three weeks. In the finals, we had six scholars per grade who competed against each other until we reached one winner.
“The grade that impressed us the most that continued to go into a tie breaker was Grade 3. The scholars knew their words – after 15 tie breaker words we finally got a winner.”
Padayachee added that as leaders it really warms their hearts to see their Grade Rs practice spelling their words phonetically.
“In Grade 4, we had three competitors Hlelisa Khomo, Thomas Theu and Hope Lukasi who made it into the spelling bee finals for a second time in a row. For a second time in a row Hlelisa Khomo won the Spark Midrand Spelling Bee.”
Hlelisa said that she was proud of herself for her accomplishment. She added that she and her mom have made practicing her spelling a habit. “My mom and I practice in the car on the way to school and from school. We even practice at night at the house.”
She added that she was inspired by the spelling bee movie Akeelah and the Bee. “I always try my best, I practice,” said Hlelisa.
Padayachee concluded, “We are immensely proud of all our scholars that participated in our 2020 Spelling Bee and we look forward to an even bigger event next year.”
Details: SPARK Midrand 010 590 6208.
