Meet the 2024 National Finalists from the state and territory round

Winds of change tore through the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee last week, just as diabolical gales struck multiple states. But the three hardest hit states saw students batten the hatches to emerge as heroes of the state and territory finals.

The annual spelling challenge run by Kids News saw NSW blow clear past the competition in the Green level (Years 3-4) category as three Sydney schools took out first, second and third place in the top state and territory results.

Top of the podium in the Bee’s most junior category was Middle Harbour Primary School’s Maisie K, who achieved a perfect score in 1:16.802. Close behind was SHORE’s Thomas M, who snatched the number two spot with 30/30 in 1:29.781. In third place was Mekare M at Lidcombe’s St Joachim’s Catholic Primary School, with a flawless performance just seconds behind, recording a final time of 1:33.116.

Tasmania claimed the top spot nationally in the Orange level (Years 5-6) category, storming home thanks to Bella-Rose M, a student at Richmond’s St John’s Catholic School.

Delivering the Apple Isle’s first ever round win in any category, Bella Rose hit 30/30 at the 1.23.532 mark, nearly nine seconds ahead of NSW’s Inara I at Lidcombe’s Al-Faisal College, who finished in 1:34.495. Also posting 30/30 was Suhas M, a student at Heathdale Christian College in Victoria. A time of 2:05.769 secured the third spot nationwide.

The Red level (Years 7-8) category results had the contest laid bare, as the combination of skill and speed put students to the test. The category winner was Victoria’s Rishab V, who took 3:48.352 to achieve a perfect score for Point Cook’s Saltwater P-9 College.

The only other 30/30 achieved at secondary level this round was posted by South Australia’s Gurnoor K. The Plympton International College student was a steady hand, clocking out at 4:20.642.

In third place for NSW was Leo L. The Newington College student finished in just 2:26.355, the fastest 29/30 result in Australia.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL STUDENTS WHO TOOK PART IN THE STATE AND TERRITORY FINALS

The national finals run start 9am AEST on Wednesday 11 September and close 5pm AEST on Thursday 12 September.

For more information visit spelling-bee.com.au or kidsnewscom.au

KIDS NEWS IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE FOLLOWING NATIONAL FINALISTS IN EACH CATEGORY, REPRESENTING EVERY STATE AND TERRITORY:

NSW GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)

1. Maisie K, Middle Harbour Public School: 30/30, 1:16.802

2. Thomas M, SHORE: 30/30, 1:29.781

3. Mekare M, St Joachim’s Catholic Primary School: 30/30, 1:33.116

NSW ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)

1. Inara I, Al-Faisal College: 30/30, 1:34.495

2. Vanessa Y, St Andrew’s Cathedral School: 30/30, 2:13.547

3. Sophie W, Ryde Public School: 30/30, 2:17.676

NSW RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)

1. Leo L, Newington College: 29/30, 2:26.355

2. Myles S, Sindel-Marshall Homeschool: 29/30, 4:22.385

3. Aditya P, Sydney Grammar School: 28/30, 1:39.572

VIC GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)

1. Kiran R, Penleigh Essendon Grammar School – Essendon Campus: 30/30, 2:03.068

2. Suwan L, Christ Church Grammar School: 30/30, 2:17.768

3. Tom B, Maranatha Christian School: 30/30, 2:20.839

VIC ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)

1. Suhas M, Heathdale Christian College: 30/30, 2:05.769

2. Glorianne T, Lighthouse Christian College Cranbourne: 2:24.714

3. Arji S, Haileybury College Keysborough: 30/30, 3:45.266

VIC RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)

1. Rishab V, Saltwater P-9 College: 30/30, 3:48.352

2. Nischal Y, Melbourne Grammar School: 29/30, 5:22.041

3. Nic Q, Mentone Grammar School: 28/30, 2:51.808

QLD GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)

1. Maddison B, Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School: 30/30, 2:15.136

2. Fintan B, St Elizabeth’s School: 30/30, 2:21.097

3. Felicity P, St Ambrose’s Primary School: 30/30, 2:38.783

QLD ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)

1. Harriet B, Somerville House: 29/30, 2:03.643

2. Jillian S, Pullenvale State School: 29/30, 2:05.920

3. Isabella R, Queen of Apostles Primary School: 29/30, 2:19.510

QLD RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)

1. Aryan S, Redeemer Lutheran College: 27/30, 3:34.985

2. Matthew H, The Southport School: 25/30, 3:35.411

3. Phoebe B, Glasshouse Christian College: 24/30, 3:19.184

SA GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)

1. Max S, Victor Harbor Primary School: 29/30, 1:37.569

2. Alexa G, Saint Ignatius’ College – Junior School Campus: 29/30, 1:45.354

3. Louis U, Lobethal Lutheran School: 29/30, 2:25.353

SA ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)

1. Chloe D, St Dominic’s Priory College: 30/30, 3:24.521

2. Muskaan S, Pinnacle College – Golden Grove: 29/30, 1:45.869

3. Emika I, St Dominic’s Priory College: 29/30, 4:43.223

SA RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)

1. Gurnoor K, Plympton International College: 30/30, 4:20.642

2. Jok M, Hope Christian College: 29/30, 3:51.329

3. Maaz M, Unley High School: 27/30, 4:02.626

TAS GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)

1. Evie C, St Anthony’s Catholic School: 28/30, 1:38.351

2. Ryan M, Devonport Christian School: 28/30, 1:39.353

3. Luciana T, Princes Street Primary School: 28/30, 1:45.652

TAS ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)

1. Bella-Rose M, St John’s Catholic School: 30/30, 1:23.532

2. Isabella A, Fahan School: 28/30, 1:37.745

3. Hayley L, Trevallyn Primary School: 28/30, 3:21.249

TAS RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)

1. Angus T, Sacred Heart College: 27/30, 3:28.465

2. Ruth P, Piercy Homeschool: 25/30, 4:21.171

3. Jasper O, Sacred Heart College: 24/30, 4:54.287

WA GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)

1. Elizabeth O, Methodist Ladies’ College: 30/30, 1:44.223

2. Eloy P, Hollywood Primary School: 29/30, 1:29.296

3. Sean F, Burrendah Primary School: 29/30: 1:45.533

WA ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)

1. Chloe C, Mount Pleasant Primary School: 29/30, 1:39.992

2. Steve P, Aspiri Primary School: 29/30, 1:53.509

3. Jarren T, Oberthur Primary School: 29/30, 2:20.956

WA RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)

1. Ollie O, Willetton Senior High School: 28/30, 1:40.808

2. Shaun T, Willetton Senior High School: 2/30, 3:45.577

3. Ozichukwu E, Perth Modern School: 27/30, 1:54.457

NT GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)

1. Logan F, Haileybury Rendall School: 28/30, 3:23.118

2. Alva C, Haileybury Rendall School: 27/30, 3:07.658

3. Ashleigh T, Haileybury Rendall School: 26/30, 1:45.267

NT ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)

1. Amy S, Haileybury Rendall School: 28/30, 3:27.064

2. Bert W, Haileybury Rendall School: 27/30, 1:38.437

3. Yi-Yuan C, Haileybury Rendall School: 27/30, 2:54.109

NT RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)

1. Cooper H, St John’s Catholic College: 20/30, 2:12.450

2. Santiago K, St John’s Catholic College: 20/30, 5:13.486

3. William T, St John’s Catholic College: 18/30, 3:22.767

ACT GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)

1. Echo F, Brindabella Christian College: 30/30, 3:33.631

2. Leah P, Trinity Christian School: 29/30, 2:06.938

3. Teddy L, Hughes Primary School: 28/30, 2:06.565

ACT ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)

1. Ethan D, Burgmann Anglican School – Forde Campus: 30/30, 2:51.329

2. Chloe T, Canberra Girls’ Grammar School – Junior School: 29/30, 3:14.211

3. Isabella J, Canberra Girls Grammar School – Junior School: 28/30, 2:25.911

ACT RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)

1. Angelica B, Burgmann Anglican School – Forde Campus: 27/30, 6:20.124

2. Aarush K, Burgmann Anglican School – Forde Campus: 26/30, 2:34.783

3. Scarlett W, Burgmann Anglican School – Forde Campus: 25/30, 3:26.219

GOOD LUCK, BRILLIANT BEES!