A team from Craighead Diocesan School has proved it is a spelling sensation.
The team claimed the Otago Daily Times Extra! spelling quiz title for the second consecutive year last night at Timaru Boys' High School.
Made up of pupils Keelia Ivamy, Eleanor McGechie and Stephanie Dalloway (all 14), the team earned 95 points of a possible 100. They were followed closely by Roncalli College, which was second after a sudden-death tie with Geraldine High School.
Twenty-eight year 9 and 10 teams from the central South Island schools took part in the 10-round competition, spelling words such as plethora and statistician.
Unfortunately, four Mt Hutt College teams did not it make to the quiz due to their bus breaking down on the way.
Generally, the pupils thought spelling was a vital skill to have.
Mountainview High school pupil, Zoe Hopa (13), said it was especially important for those wanting to follow a career path that involved writing.
Zoe said she aimed to be a teacher after leaving high school.
Quiz Co-ordinator and Extra! editor Ivan Behrnes said although spelling was now often used less formally, it is still important.
"There is a lot of texting going on now days, but that doesn't mean spelling isn't important." Mr Behrnes said there had been educators from Canada and Australia interested in starting a quiz after seeing how successful the event was.
"I really enjoy the satisfaction in organising something where you can see the kids involved achieving." The annual quiz had already been held in Dunedin and Cromwell, and the event was scheduled to take place in Christchurch next week.
• 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.
