As Bee’s state and territory finals start, meet our top young spellers

Aussie kids have shown their might in the school round of the fourth annual Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee.

Run by Kids News, the Bee’s record-breaking 70,557 student registrations nationwide were driven by two more new records: 2752 teachers at 1170 schools.

The top 200 students in each state and territory across the three age categories now advance to finals, starting Monday.

Leading the pack for Victoria is Serpell Primary School student Kyle Hu, 10, one of the state’s “perfect score kids” who took out the #1 spot in the country after smashing the Green level (Years 3-4) category of the school round, scoring 30/30 in the blistering time of 0:40.866.

Students have 25 seconds to spell each word in the free online spelling challenge but Kyle correctly spelt all 30 in well under a minute.

“I have my own way of typing, and it just happens to be very quick,” he said. “I was pretty excited when I found out.

“I enjoy the competition, I like how it can improve your spelling a lot.

“All the words were pretty easy. It just comes naturally to me.”

Kyle also reads around two novels a week, which he believes helps his spelling.

If he becomes a national champion and wins the trip to Canberra, Kyle will get to ask Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to spell a word but he hasn’t decided yet what it would be.

The Orange level (Years 5-6) category was won by NSW’s Ananshi Bidze, 11.

The William Clarke College student also posted her perfect score in under a minute, qualifying in the top spot in just 0:51.333, overcoming a momentary mental block when she got the word “embarrassed”.

“I couldn’t remember how many Rs and Ss it had in it,” she said.

But it was a fleeting* hiccup.

“It was really good, because I got through and I have a chance to go and see the Prime Minister,” she said. “Spelling is just fun for me.”

Ananshi’s word for the PM would be “opportunity”.

Like the other two school round top scorers, the young super speller is a bookworm, which she believes helps her spelling.

“I just like reading fantasy books,” Ananshi said. “I had a huge Harry Potter phase at one point.”

And while the coming week of state and territory finals will coincide with cheers of “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” for all our Paralympians in Paris, the distant rumble from Western Australia is just as likely a chant of “Ozi, Ozi, Ozi”. The eastern seaboard has work to do in the Red level (years 7-8) category, with the school round claimed handily* by 13-year-old Ozi Egesi. The 2022 national champion and 2023 runner-up in the Orange category is no stranger to a perfect score and the Perth Modern student got there in 1:08.483 – more than a minute and a half ahead of his nearest rival*.

Ozi went to Canberra and met Mr Albanese as part of his 2022 prize but the Year 7 student is hoping to return to Parliament House this year.

“Hopefully he remembers me,” he said. “It challenges me to be able to spell in a time limit … and since I’m in the hardest level this year, it was more difficult.”

Ozi asked the PM to spell a German word last time, “bewusstseinslage”, which means state of consciousness.

“If I get to go again, I’d probably choose a word to ask him that’s not commonly known,” he said.

Other top performers around the country included the Northern Territory’s Rivin Perera, nine, from Alice Springs. The Ross Park Primary School finalist couldn’t be more excited to be named the NT’s top performer, scoring 30/30 in the Green category in 3:09.274.

“I might actually be the best speller in Australia,” he said, adding that he loved the challenge of the Bee.

“My favourite thing about it is that it helps make me smarter, because it makes me learn new words,” he said.

If he makes it all the way to Canberra, Rivin plans to lob* “pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis” the PM’s way.

A mouthful at any age, it is also the name of a type of lung disease.

“It’s the longest word in the English language,” he said.

Rivin practises by writing words from the dictionary and he also loves reading, with David Walliams’ books a particular favourite.

“I probably read five books a week,” he said.

Black Forest Primary School student Henry White came 6th nationally in the Green level, his perfect score achieved in just 1:17.344 and making him South Australia’s best performer.

The young word wizard said he has always been good at spelling, but when he heard the word “espy” in the Bee, he was stumped.

“I nearly put ‘eye-spy’,” Henry said.

He was very relieved to discover he’d spelt the word, which means to catch sight of something, correctly.

“It’s a really proud accomplishment for me and I’m looking forward to trying my best and hopefully getting to nationals,” the 10-year-old said.

Henry said his favourite thing about the Bee was typing the words.

“It’s a good way to practise your typing as well as your spelling,” he said.

“At school we get a sheet of paper and write the words as my teacher says them.”

If Henry wins the trip to Canberra, the word he’ll ask the PM to spell is “chrysanthemum”.

“It’s fun to spell long words,” he said.

Queensland’s Jack Schubauer, nine, also posted a perfect score in the Green category of the school round, taking 1:48.757. The Nundah State School student said he loves taking part in the Bee – especially when he gets all 30 words correct.

“It’s really fun,” he said. “If I don’t know a word, I can try to see if I know the sounds of other words and try to work it out.

“I felt very happy to be a finalist. I took part last year too and I didn’t make it.”

If he becomes a national champion, Jack said he would lob “antidisestablishmentarianism*” Albo’s way, “because it’s really long”.

The young super speller likes to read before bed, which he thinks helps his spelling. His favourite books are Andy Griffiths’ Treehouse series.

Tasmanian student Annika Tomlin, 12, had never heard of the word “gammon*” before it came up as one of the words in the first round.

But the Howrah Primary School student still managed to spell it correctly, helping her reach the outstanding score of 29/30 in the free online competition to emerge as Tasmania’s top performer in the Orange level (years 5-6) category, thanks to her speedy time of 2:08.104.

Annika said she looked up the definition of gammon on the internet afterwards and discovered it refers to meat from the hind leg of a pig which has been cured like bacon.

“It feels really good when you get words right,” she said. “It’s really satisfying.”

If she becomes a national champion and wins the trip to Canberra to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the word Annika would give Albo is “circumference”.

“The first time I had to spell it in a spelling test I had no idea how to spell it,” she said.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL STUDENTS WHO TOOK PART IN THE SCHOOL ROUND OF THE 2024 PRIME MINISTER’S SPELLING BEE!

HERE IS THE HONOUR ROLL OF THE TOP THREE PERFORMERS IN THE SCHOOL ROUND IN EACH CATEGORY, ACROSS EVERY STATE AND TERRITORY – WELL DONE, BRILLIANT BEES!

VIC GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)
1. Kyle H, Serpell Primary School: 30/30, 0:40.866

2. Sadie F, Lockwood Primary School: 30/30, 0:58.215

3. Daniel B, Lighthouse Christian College Cranbourne: 30/30, 1:32.433

VIC ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)
1. Yvonne H, Alamanda K-9 College: 30/30, 1:53.981

2. Viragh M, Alamanda K-9 College: 30/30, 2:23.511

3. Nikhil P, Lighthouse Christian College Cranbourne: 30/30, 2:34.397

VIC RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)
1. Savina L, Heatherton Christian College – Wyndham Christian College: 30/30, 2:47.091

2. Winnie L, Haileybury College Keysborough: 30/30, 4:22.645

3. Justin S, Haileybury College Keysborough: 30/30, 4:57.999

NSW GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)
1. Evelyn M, St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School: 30/30, 1:05.336

2. Thomas M, SHORE: 30/30, 1:12.577

3. Harvey G, St Bernadette’s Primary School: 30/30, 1:13.007

NSW ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)
1. Ananshi B, William Clarke College: 30/30, 0:51.333

2. Angus K, SHORE: 30/30, 1:15.413

3. Anoushka s, The Hills Grammar School: 30/30, 1:44.774

NSW RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)
1. Pablo S, Marist Catholic College North Shore: 30/30, 2:59.760

2. Aditya P, Sydney Grammar School: 29/30, 1:20.242

3. Kira M, Emanuel School: 29/30, 1:40.931

QLD GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)
1. Jack S, Nundah State School: 30/30, 1:48.757

2. Fintan B, St Elizabeth School: 30/30, 1:51.400

3. Joseph O, Highland Reserve State School: 30/30, 2:11.146

QLD ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)
1. Jamaal S, St Rita’s School: 29/30, 1:49.483

2. Owen T, The Southport School: 29/30, 2:03.428

3. Harrison D, The Southport School: 29/30, 2:05.983

QLD RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)
1. Ameya R, Moreton Bay College: 30/30, 3:14.128

2. Alex N, Kingaroy State High School: 28/30, 1:30.130

3. Eliza G, Redeemer Lutheran College: 27/30, 2:24.792

SA GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)
1. Henry W, Black Forest Primary School: 30/30, 1:17.344

2. Adhiraj G, Tenison Woods College: 30/30, 2:13.658

3. Hadid K, Playford College: 29/30, 1:23.808

SA ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)
1. Thai Anh N, St Patrick’s School: 30/30, 2:01.432

2. Yolanda Z, Seymour College: 30/30, 2:55.073

3. Kachi J, Hope Christian College: 29/30, 2:10.663

SA RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)
1. Melinda W, Pedare Christian College: 28/30, 1:11.662

2. Remiel T, Quorn Area School: 28/30, 2:12.446

3. Indianna P, Faith Lutheran College: 28/30, 3:14.981

TAS GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)
1. Georgia P, Bridport Primary School: 29/30, 1:52.851

2. Adaora A, Mowbray Heights Primary School: 29/30, 1:58.379

3. Eliza M 29/30, Glen Dhu Primary School 2:24.596

TAS ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)
1. Annika T, Howrah Primary School: 29/30, 2:08.104

2. Otto L, Princes St Primary School: 28/30, 1:14.383

3. Declan S, Launceston Christian School: 28/30, 1:36.611

TAS RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)
1. Imogen F, Sacred Heart College: 29/30, 3:19.165

2. Ruth P, Piercy Homeschool: 28/30, 2:40.225

3. Luca S, Kings Meadows High School: 28/30, 2:56.366

WA GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)
1. Rohan M, Hollywood Primary School: 30/30, 1:59.795

2. Shuyi L, Ranford Primary School: 30/30, 2:18.853

3. Luca M, Sutherland Dianella Primary School: 30/30, 2:41.451

WA ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)
1. Ange L, North Harrisdale Primary School: 30/30, 1:19.884

2. Steve P, Aspiri Primary School: 30/30, 1:49.857

3. Isabella L, ML Homeschool: 30/30, 2:22.125 PENDING CERTIFICATE

WA RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)
1. Ozichukwu E, Perth Modern: 30/30, 1:08.483

2. Gautham M, Willetton Senior High School: 30/30, 3:16.402

3. Aarya K, Willetton Senior High School: 30/30, 3:21.508

NT GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)
1. Rivin P, Ross Park Primary School: 30/30, 3:09.274

2. Abigail B, Haileybury Rendall School: 28/30, 1:41.608

3. Samuel M, Haileybury Rendall School: 28/30, 2:09.913

NT ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)
1. Godswill B, Haileybury Rendall School: 28/30, 2:04.692

2. Amy S, Haileybury Rendall School: 28/30, 2:04.692

3. Jett T, Haileybury Rendall School: 26/30, 2:23.786

NT RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)
1. Cooper H, St John’s Catholic College: 24/30, 2:06.494

2. Raeesa H, St John’s Catholic College: 24/30, 3:26.138

3. Marcus L, Darwin Middle School: 23/30, 3:20.121

ACT GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)
1. Kimmy L, Ainslie School: 29/30, 1:35.629

2. Laurence C, Canberra Girls’ Grammar School: 29/30, 2:28.852

3. Onyx R, Hughes Primary School: 29/30, 2:43.018

ACT ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)
1. An T, North Ainslie Primary School: 29/30, 1:47.274

2. Tegan T, Burgmann Anglican School – Forde Campus: 29/30, 2:10.946

3. Greta H, St Jude’s Primary School: 29/30, 4:19.352

ACT RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)
1. Aarav M, Burgmann Anglican School – Forde Campus: 28/30, 3:13.053

2. Aarush K, Burgmann Anglican School – Forde Campus: 27/30, 2:47.185

3. Tim M, Burgmann Anglican School – Forde Campus: 27/30, 2:48.563

For more information about the Bee, visit spelling-bee.com.au and kidsnews.com.au

WATCH THE VIDEO

POLL

GLOSSARY

• fleeting: very brief, momentary, short
• handily: expertly, skilfully, with relative ease
• rival: someone you’re are competing or fighting against in the same area or for the same things
• lob: throw, direct, pitch, fling
• antidisestablishmentarianism: opposing the belief that there should not be an official relationship between a country’s government and its national church
• gammon: meat taken from the back leg or side of a pig and preserved with smoke or salt

EXTRA READING

It’s game on as Bee breaks records

Is English down the ‘skibidi toilet’?

Kids go for gold in Spelling Bee

QUICK QUIZ

1. How many schools, teachers and students registered in the 2024 Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee?
2. Who topped the Green level (Years 3-4) category of the school round and in what score and time?’
3. Which difficult word would the NT’s top performer Rivin P ask the PM to spell?
4. Which German word did 2022 national champion Ozi Egesi ask the PM to spell and what does it mean?
5. Which word drew a momentary blank for the top scoring Orange level student Ananshi B in the school round?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Plan for success
Highlight the parts of the news story where the current leaders explain why they think they have done well so far. Using their insight, plus some of your own ideas, create a five-step plan that you could follow to improve your chances of performing well in next year’s PM’s Spelling Bee.

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Personal and Social Capability

2. Extension
What word would you challenge the PM to spell? Explain why you think this might bamboozle him, or what conversation you might like to start with your chosen word.

Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English

VCOP ACTIVITY
Conjunctions
Conjunctions are important in connecting ideas in a text and improving its flow. They help to join sentences, clauses or phrases to create a coherent and meaningful text.

Co-ordinating conjunctions are used to connect equal ideas or phrases – for example: and, but, or, so, yet, nor.

Subordinating conjunctions are connecting words or phrases that join a subordinating clause to the main idea. They provide additional information about the main idea – for example: because, although, while, when, if, since, until.

Complete at least two activities from the choices below:

• Read the news article carefully and highlight all the conjunctions used in the text.
• Write down the conjunctions you found and the words or phrases they connect.
• Identify the type of conjunction used (coordinating conjunctions or subordinating conjunctions).
• Explain the role of conjunctions in connecting ideas and improving the flow of a text.
• Write a short paragraph about something you found interesting in the article. Challenge yourself to re-use three conjunctions from the text. Can you up-level them to a higher level conjunction? Does it make the sentence better or harder to read? (Sometimes, the basic conjunction is the best choice.)