Georgetown spell their way to victory

For the second time in four years, The Georgetown Government School has emerged the winners of Karib Cable’s National Schools’ Spelling Bee competition.{{more}}

The trio of Heidi Punnett, Kiara Bailey and Jerony John spelled their way to victory in the 9-round contest held at Methodist Church Hall, Grenville Street, last Wednesday, 18 March, 2009.

Punnett said she’s feels excited about her school’s success. The shy 11-year old admitted she thought the words were easy.

John, also 11, said he felt the words were “challenging but good.” He and his teammates prepared for the event by learning and memorizing random words as a class, a method which proved effective.

An obviously elated Alasbour Williams, Grade 6 teacher at the triumphant school, praised his students’ work ethic and the excellent tuition they received in preparation for the Finals.

Williams was adamant that his school’s approach to learning played a pivotal role in their success.

“We teach spelling. We don’t test spelling,” he said. That way, he contended, students gained a better understanding of the words.

Even before Georgetown was officially announced as winners, Williams predicted his team would win.

So confident was he of victory that he brought along the entire Grade 6 Williams Toney class to cheer their contestants on.

“It was a class effort,” Williams said. “Win or lose, we all wanted to be here.”

This was Georgetown Government’s second victory in Karib Cable’s National Spelling Bee. They also won the inaugural competition back in 2006.

As champs, the school will received a 3-station computer lab complete with printer and scanner, courtesy technology retailer Computec. In addition, Karib Cable will provide them free Internet access for life – a total package valued at over EC$10,000.

Second place, Marriaqua Government School received two computers, a printer and a scanner and Sion Hill Government School, which placed third, walked away with a computer.

According to Karib Cable’s Marketing Manager, Justin John, all computers will receive full service support thanks to Computec and its Managing Director Michael E. John.

Students at the top-placed schools also were presented with medals and red messenger bags adorned with the Digicel logo from Kelly Glass, Managing Director of Karib Cable and Edmund Joachim, Digicel’s Marketing Executive.

Each competitor also received books just for taking part.

Judging the competition this year were Karen Thomas, Hannah Browne, Kay Martin Jack and Carol Ross, all representatives of the Curriculum Unit in the Ministry of Education and Ercelle John Thomas, Vice Principal and English teacher at the St. Martin’s Secondary School.

Thomas held double duties as judge and the competition’s official word pronouncer.

The event was carried live on Karib Cable’s local programming channel K45. (SC)