Students do battle in war of the words

Twenty-three students are battling it out to be Bermuda’s top speller at the annual Spelldown competition.

The war of words — fronted by popular mascot Cool Cat — began on Tuesday with three heats in the eastern, western and central parishes.

Each primary four to primary six student represents one of the public and private schools on the island.

Having been crowned the best speller at their school, they must now battle it out with rivals.

Literacy

The prize is a family trip to Washington DC, to be awarded next Saturday at the Ruth Seaton James Centre, when the top nine students will face-off in the final.

The competition is in its sixth year and aims to increase literacy among children aged nine to 11.

In January, each student in primary four to six was given a booklet of more than 350 words to learn.

In the contest, the top three students in each heat go through to the final.

Students have to spell the letters of both familiar and unfamiliar words, such as ionosphere (part of the upper atmosphere) and pneumatic (of, or relating to, air or other gases).

Each word is only used once and is chosen by a committee of former teachers.

Maxine Esdaille, a member of the Spelldown Committee, said: “This is an opportunity for students to focus on a skill which will help them in their literacy and learning.

“It is important, particular in this day and age when people do not seem to think they need to know how to spell.”

Mrs Esdaille, executive director of the Menuhin Foundation, said the contest is an opportunity for students from different schools to socialise.

This has included a trip to Dockyard so contestants could tour the National Museum and meet mural artist Graham Foster.

Ice-breaker

Mrs Esdaille said the outing was an “ice-breaker” to ease any nerves.

Commenting on this year’s competitors, she said: “They are very good. Some of the words are hard, so they are doing very well. They enjoy it.

“The parents and teachers also really get into it and it is nice to have kids from the neighbourhood coming to watch, too.”

Bermuda College and the Ministry of Education have funded the top prize and Computer City has donated a Think Pad for second place.

The student who comes in third will receive a $500 savings certificate from Butterfield Bank.

Mrs Esdaille said: “We hope they put it towards their college fund.”