A surprise entry from Christchurch won top honours in last night's Otago Daily Times Extra! spelling quiz in Timaru.
The central South Island event, held at Timaru Boys' High School, was not scheduled to include Christchurch teams but made an exception for Medbury School, which ended up winning the years 5 and 6 title.
A Christchurch quiz was planned for next week but Medbury School would be on holiday then and the dedicated quiz team did not want to miss out, said Medbury School teacher and team coach Nicholas Black.
Mr Black, who was also one of the teacher markers at the quiz, advised those wanting to be successful next year to practise, and said the winning team had done a lot of practice, especially using the internet.
The winning trio, Thomas Stewardson (10), William Syder-Mills (10) and Blake McGuigan (11), scored 97 out of a possible 100 points in the quiz.
The boys said they were very happy to have won, and the only part they found difficult was the speed spelling.
Medbury was one of 42 teams that took part in the years 5 and 6 section.
Gleniti Primary School came second and Temuka Primary School third.
Matthew Hornsby, Emily Dodd and Hayden McNulty (all 11), from Geraldine High School, won the years 7 and 8 quiz, with a score of 96 out of 100 points.
Emily said it was particularly special, as she and Hayden were in the winning team last year.
Quiz co-ordinator and Extra! editor Ivan Behrnes said spelling was very important.
"It is a necessary part of life."
He was pleased with the turnout, with teams travelling from as far away as Christchurch and Oamaru.
• The Otago Daily Times Extra! spelling quizzes are part of the newspaper's Class Act project, which celebrates the excellence of young people.
Extra! is a monthly educational publication produced by the newspaper for senior primary, intermediate and junior secondary school pupils.
- Claire Emmerson
