MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has today congratulated two students from Armidale City Public School who have spelled their way through to the state finals of the 2015 Premier’s Spelling Bee.
The state junior and senior finals will be held tomorrow at the ABC Centre in Ultimo, Sydney.
Mr Marshall said Year 3 student Sam Russell (junior division) and Year 5 student Peter Gooley (senior division) had gone word for word in a number of local and regional competitions to now be included in the top 86 spellers in the state.
“It’s an impressive effort as Sam and Peter finished ahead of a record 134,000 students from 939 public schools who competed in this year’s spelling bee,” Mr Marshall said.
“Spelling is a valuable skill which serves us well through life, not just at school and this spelling bee is an outstanding learning experience offered by our public schools.
“There has been a massive increase in the number of students involved this year as conferencing facilities were utilised for one of the regional finals ensuring students from Bourke, Menindee, North Star, Broken Hill, Jerilderie, Gwabegar and Cobar could participate in the bee.
“It encourages students from across the state to improve their spelling through competing at school, progressively to one of the 42 regional finals and ultimately to the state decider.
“I wish Sam and Peter every success tomorrow, but whatever the result, they have already done themselves, Armidale City Public and their families very proud.”
Mr Marshall encouraged locals to listen live to the senior division final, which will be broadcast on ABC local radio from 5.35pm.
The Premier’s Spelling Bee is supported by ABC Local Radio and Official Word List Supplier Macquarie Dictionary.
For further information on the Premier’s Spelling Bee go to: www.artsunit.nsw.edu.au/speaking-competitions/2015-premiers-spelling-bee