Meet the national champions of the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee

The fourth annual Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee saw a national final of “firsts”. For the first time in the competition’s history, no student scored 30/30 in the tough third round – all three new champions scored 29/30.

Only the second NSW champion since free classroom news site Kids News launched the Bee in 2021, Sydney’s Aditya Paul has entered the free spelling challenge every year. Previously a state and national primary finalist while at Epping Public School, this is the year 7 scholarship* student’s first win.

“It’s really nice to be champion but I think it’s even better considering it’s been a culmination* of a lot of things over the last few years,” the 13-year-old said. “Every time I tried, I got closer, and now it’s finally gone all the way.”

Now at Sydney Grammar School, Aditya’s winning score in the Red level (Years 7-8) category clocked out at just 1:34.433, a full 39 seconds faster than the runner up, who also scored 29/30.

The word Aditya got wrong was “coccyx” — the small triangular bone at the base of the spinal column in humans and some apes.

“I replaced the double c in the middle with an x,” he said.

Getting to meet the Prime Minister later in the year hadn’t sunk in, he said.

“I don’t think it will until I touch down in Canberra but it easily ranks up there as one of the best experiences I’ll have in my life,” he said.

The young scholar is planning to ask Mr Albanese to spell the French word “bourgeoisie*”, which describes the middle class.

“It has nine vowels in an 11-letter word,” Aditya said.

In another first, Jillian Strong, 10, from Pullenvale State School, is Queensland’s first ever national champion.

The Brisbane student was also the only finalist in the Orange level (Years 5-6) category nationwide to score 29/30 in the final, which she posted in 2:01.685.

“Last year I came fifth,” she said. “I was a little nervous before the final but mostly excited that I made it that far.”

The only word Jillian got wrong was “frontispiece*”, which is the illustration facing the title page in a book.

“I’d never heard of it before in my life and neither had my teacher,” she said.

The keen reader said she enjoyed taking part in the competition.

“I think it’s more fun than other competitions because there’s a timer, which makes it more challenging,” she said. “There are also more randomised words. You learn a couple of new words as well.”

While Jillian hasn’t decided what word she will ask the Prime Minister when she meets him, she’s thinking of a medical term.

“They have often got silent letters and different pronunciation,” she said.

Canberra’s Echo Feng, from Brindabella Christian College, was named champion in the Green level (Years 3-4) category.

Echo scored 29/30 in a careful 3:12.955, to finish two points clear of her nearest rivals, who both spelt 27/30 words correctly.

Now in year 3 and eligible for the first time, it was the nine-year-old’s first season in the hive. Echo said she was extremely happy to emerge as the ACT’s first ever national champion.

“I felt excited going into the finals and pretty nervous,” she said.

The only word she got wrong was “edict*”.

Echo said it was fun taking part in the Bee and it was different to other competitions.

“I like that you get to type the words on an iPad instead of writing them,” she said.

While she has lived in Canberra all her life, Echo has only been to Parliament House once and is looking forward to returning to meet the Prime Minister.

This is the first time without a Victorian in the winners' circle but young super spellers did the state proud throughout the Bee, in particular Nischal Y of Melbourne Grammar School, the Red level First Runner Up with a score of 29/30 in 2:13.489. The Green level’s First Runner Up also hails from the Education State: Suwan L of Christ Church Grammar School scored 27/30 in 1:16.584.

South Australian students also soared, with the top result produced by First Runner Up Chloe D of St Dominic’s Priory College in the Orange level (Years 5-6) category, spelling 28/30 words correctly in 2:44.985. SA also entered the top 10 in the other two categories: Maaz M of Unley High School took out 8th place in Red with 24/30 in 5:19.217, while Louis U of Lobethal Lutheran School scored 25/30 in 1:39.760 to place 9th in Green.

And in Tasmania’s best performance in the Bee to date, the Apple Isle has a national 2nd Runner Up in Orange, thanks to Bella-Rose M of St John’s Catholic School. Bella-Rose scored 27/30 in 1:23.295. Tassie homeschool student Ruth Piercy came 6th nationally in Red with 24/30 in 4:13.928, while 7th place in the Green category went to Ryan M of Devonport Christian School, who scored 25/30 in 1:14.754.

The Northern Territory also hit the top 10 of the national final this year. Amy S of Haileybury Rendall School took 10th place nationwide in the Orange level with her final score of 25/30 in 4:26.264.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL NATIONAL PRIZEWINNERS
GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)
Winner: Echo F, Brindabella Christian College, ACT: 29/30, 3:12.955

First Runner Up: Suwan L, Christ Church Grammar School, VIC: 27/30, 1:16.584

Second Runner Up: Maisie K, Middle Harbour Public School, NSW: 27/30, 1:42.258

ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)
Winner: Jillian S, Pullenvale State School, QLD: 29/30,

First Runner Up: Chloe D of St Dominic’s Priory College, SA: 28/30, 2:44.985

Second Runner Up: Bella-Rose M, St John’s Catholic School, TAS: 27/30, 1:23.295

RED LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)
Winner: Aditya P, Sydney Grammar School, NSW: 29/30, 1:34.433

First Runner Up: Nischal Y, Melbourne Grammar School, VIC: 29/30, 2:13.489

Second Runner Up: Ozichukwu E, Perth Modern School, WA: 27/30, 2:35.241

PLEASE SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM FOR ALL NATIONAL FINAL RESULTS

WATCH THE VIDEO

POLL

GLOSSARY

• scholarship: a monetary grant or payment supporting a student’s education at an institution
• culmination: the final, highest, best point of something
• bourgeoisie: the French word “bourgeois” means those people or things belonging to the “middle-class” between the rich and the poor but historically the word has negative associations too, referring also to so-called “social climbing” and materialistic behaviour
• frontispiece: as well as an illustration facing the title page of a book, the word also refers to the main facade, that is the front, of a building
• edict: an official order or proclamation issued by an official authority

EXTRA READING

PM’s Spelling Bee: national finalists

Meet the Bee’s ‘perfect score kids’

It’s game on as Bee breaks record

QUICK QUIZ

1. When did Kids News launch the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee?
2. What was the top score in each of the three age categories in the national final?
3. What the word that the Orange level (Years 5-6) category winner Jillian Strong got wrong?
4. How many times has Queensland had a national champion in the competition?
5. Including 2024, how many times has Red level champion Aditya Paul entered the Bee?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Help the Prime Minister!
Imagine that it is your job to help our Prime Minister Anthony Albanese get ready to spell whatever words our Spelling Bee champions give him. Give the PM some strategies or tips to help him to improve his spelling.

Time: allow at least 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English

2. Extension
“We don’t need to worry about good spelling anymore in a world with autocorrect!”

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Write a paragraph that explains your point of view on this question.

Time: allow at least 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Civics and Citizenship, Personal and Social Capability

VCOP ACTIVITY
Adjectives
An adjective is a describing word. They are often found describing a noun. Start by looking at the words before the nouns.

Search for all the adjectives you can find in the article.

Did you find any repeat adjectives or are they all different?

Extension:
Pick three of your favourite adjectives from the text and put them in your own sentences to show other ways to use them.

Have you used any in your writing?

FULL NATIONAL FINAL RESULTS IN EACH STATE AND TERRITORY

NSW GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)

1. Maisie K, Middle Harbour Public School: 27/30, 1:42.258

2. Thomas M, SHORE: 26/30, 1:43.425

3. Mekare M, St Joachim’s Catholic Primary School: 25/30, 1:34.789

NSW ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)

1. Vanessa Y, St Andrew’s Cathedral School: 27/30, 2:50.368

2. Sophie W, Ryde Public School: 26/30, 2:47.534

3. Inara I, Al-Faisal College: 24/30, 1:32.866

NSW RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)

1. Aditya P, Sydney Grammar School: 29/30, 1:34.433

2. Myles S, Sindel-Marshall Homeschool: 21/30, 4:54.466

3. Leo L, Newington College: 14/30, 2:57.574

QLD GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)

1. Fintan B, St Elizabeth’s School: 26/30, 1:27.131

2. Felicity P, St Ambrose’s Primary School: 24/30, 2:00.101

3. Maddison B, Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School: 23/30, 3:22.054

QLD ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)

1. Jillian S, Pullenvale State School: 29/30, 2:01.685

2. Harriet B, Somerville House: 24/30, 1:48.888

3. Isabella R, Queen of Apostles Primary School: 22/30, 2:36.943

QLD RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)

1. Phoebe B, Glasshouse Christian College: 19/30, 3:37.518

2. Aryan S, Redeemer Lutheran College: 18/30, 4:36.128

3. Matthew H, The Southport School: 8/30, 2:57.868

VIC GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)

1. Suwan L, Christ Church Grammar School: 27/30, 1:16.584

2. Tom B, Maranatha Christian School: 25/30, 1:56.510

3. Kiran R, Penleigh Essendon Grammar School – Essendon Campus: 24/30, 2:00.637

VIC ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)

1. Suhas M, Heathdale Christian College: 26/30, 1:59.662

2. Arji S, Haileybury College Keysborough: 24/30, 1:54.166

3. Glorianne T, Lighthouse Christian College Cranbourne: 24/30, 3:10.896

VIC RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)

1. Nischal Y, Melbourne Grammar School: 29/30, 2:13.489

2. Rishab V, Saltwater P-9 College: 26/30, 4:06.922

3. Nic Q, Mentone Grammar School: 24/30, 4:03.858

SA GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)

1. Louis U, Lobethal Lutheran School: 25/30, 1:39.760

2. Max S, Victor Harbor Primary School: 23/30, 1:47.012

3. Alexa G, Saint Ignatius’ College – Junior School Campus: 21/30, 2:08.115

SA ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)

1. Chloe D, St Dominic’s Priory College: 28/30, 2:44.985

2. Muskaan S, Pinnacle College – Golden Grove: 25/30, 1:29.108

3. Emika I, St Dominic’s Priory College: 22/30, 3:45.552

SA RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)

1. Maaz M, Unley High School: 24/30, 5:19.217

2. Jok M, Hope Christian College: 15/30, 6:34.098

3. Gurnoor K, Plympton International College: 14/30, 4:20.642

TAS GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)

1. Ryan M, Devonport Christian School: 25/30, 1:14.754

2. Luciana T, Princes Street Primary School: 24/30, 2:29.281

3. Evie C, St Anthony’s Catholic School: 22/30, 1:47.328

TAS ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)

1. Bella-Rose M, St John’s Catholic School: 27/30, 1:23.295

2. Hayley L, Trevallyn Primary School: 23/30, 4:27.322

3. Isabella A, Fahan School: 19/30, 1:42.048

TAS RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)

1. Ruth P, Piercy Homeschool: 24/30, 4:13.928

2. Angus T, Sacred Heart College: 24/30, 5:09.790

3. Jasper O, Sacred Heart College: 17/30, 6:37.095

WA GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)

1. Elizabeth O, Methodist Ladies’ College: 26/30, 12:04.834

2. Sean F, Burrendah Primary School: 23/30: 1:26.561

3. Eloy P, Hollywood Primary School: 22/30, 1:37.419

WA ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)

1. Chloe C, Mount Pleasant Primary School: 25/30, 1:38.976

2. Jarren T, Oberthur Primary School: 23/30, 3:12.990

3. Steve P, Aspiri Primary School: 22/30, 1:54.362

WA RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)

1. Ozichukwu E, Perth Modern School: 27/30, 2:35.241

2. Shaun T, Willetton Senior High School: 23/30, 5:45.114

3. Ollie O, Willetton Senior High School: 20/30, 1:22.479

NT GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)

1. Logan F, Haileybury Rendall School: 20/30, 2:38.743

1. Alva C, Haileybury Rendall School: 21/30, 2:49.741

2. Ashleigh T, Haileybury Rendall School: 20/30, 2:19.337

NT ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)

1. Amy S, Haileybury Rendall School: 25/30, 4:26.264

2. Bert W, Haileybury Rendall School: 24/30, 1:55.698

3. Yi-Yuan C, Haileybury Rendall School: 24/30, 2:14.854

NT RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)

1. Cooper H, St John’s Catholic College: 14/30, 2:04.903

2. Santiago K, St John’s Catholic College: 11/30, 4:36.481

3. William T, St John’s Catholic College: 5/30, 3:52.023

ACT GREEN LEVEL (YEARS 3-4)

1. Echo F, Brindabella Christian College: 29/30, 3:12.955

2. Teddy L, Hughes Primary School: 22/30, 2:01.006

3. Leah P, Trinity Christian School: 17/30, 2:36.355

ACT ORANGE LEVEL (YEARS 5-6)

1. Ethan D, Burgmann Anglican School – Forde Campus: 25/30, 2:20.550

2. Isabella J, Canberra Girls Grammar School – Junior School: 18/30, 3:29.848

3. Chloe T, Canberra Girls’ Grammar School – Junior School: 11/30, 3:07.909

ACT RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)

1. Scarlett W, Burgmann Anglican School – Forde Campus: 21/30, 2:16.471

2. Aarush K, Burgmann Anglican School – Forde Campus: 18/30, 3:21.954

3. Angelica B, Burgmann Anglican School – Forde Campus: 9/30, 6:43.399

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR BRILLIANT BEES!