The John McGlashan College 14-year-olds thought it was a regional spelling competition, and when they finished first equal with Columba College pupils Frankie McAuliffe (13), Jessica Mundy (14) and Alyssa Duthie (13) in the years 9 and 10 category, they were surprised.
But then they found they were competing against teams from across the country, which really made their eyes bulge.
"We basically came up with the plan to enter while we were having lunch," Wei-Hun said.
"It was one of those ‘why not?’ situations.
"We never expected to win a regional competition, let alone a national one."
John McGlashan College English department head Donna Smith said she was thrilled with the result.
"Sometimes our young men can underrate themselves and what they are truly capable of.
"They stepped up and took on the challenge."
Since 2003, the quiz has been held as a series of age-group competitions across several regions in Otago and South Canterbury.
But earlier this year, Allied Press (publisher of the Otago Daily Times) and Dunedin-based digital educator Education Perfect (EP) teamed up and turned the competition into an online event, which meant schools from across the country could compete for the first time.
Nearly 570 primary, intermediate and junior secondary school teams (about 1700 years 5-10 pupils) from as far north as Kerikeri and as far south as Tokanui, all vied for a national title in their age-group.
The increased level of competition failed to stop Dunedin schools from winning most of the prizes yesterday.
Another Columba College team (27) was third in the years 9 and 10 event, making it a clean sweep for the city.
The years 7-8 category was won by Dunedin’s Tahuna Normal Intermediate 1; second was Christchurch’s Cobham Intermediate 5; and Dunedin’s Arthur Street School 2 was third.
The years 5-6 category was jointly won by Fendalton Open Air School 1 and Avonhead School 2 (both of Christchurch). Dunedin’s George Street Normal School 3 was third.
