Newcastle University welcomes North East spellers

[Edit 2023: please note that unfortunately the North East regional group is not currently running the Bee programmes. Please see the East of England page for more details about the support for the Foreign Language Spelling Bee]. 

An 80 strong host of Year 7 spellers, teachers and supporters descended on Newcastle University for the North East regional final of the Foreign Language Spelling Bee 2016 on the afternoon of Wednesday 20th April. Despite fewer schools taking part in the event this year, the competition remained fierce across all three categories of French, German and Spanish.

Following a welcome from Consortium Director Dr Elizabeth Andersen, the stage was set for the spelling to begin. There was much excitement as we witnessed a 'sudden death' round (a first for us here in the North East) of epic proportions which featured five straight minutes of superb spelling from two Chantry Middle School pupils competing to enter the French semi-final round. The refreshment break shortly afterwards was very much welcomed by pupils and judges alike!

Our congratulations go to the winners and runners-up in each category, all of whom will be representing the region at the national final in Cambridge on 1st July.

French

1. Imandi Kumarapeli (Royal Grammar School Newcastle)
2. Harsha Menon (Royal Grammar School Newcastle)
3. Esme Collin (Gosforth Junior High Academy)
4. Lauren Shepherdson (Gosforth Junior High Academy)

German

1. Kushi Rao (Royal Grammar School Newcastle)
2. Ananya Singh (Yarm School)
3. Sarah Mhando (Yarm School)

Spanish

1. Mehek Hathiramani (St Mary's Catholic School)
2. Aleksandr Vuletic (St Mary's Catholic School)
3. Cerys Williams (The Venerable Bede CE Academy)
4. Charlie Lamb (The Venerable Bede CE Academy)

 

Thank you to all North East schools who took part in the competition this year  at class, school and regional level and we sincerely hope it has been a positive experience for pupils and teachers alike. We are also grateful to our excellent team of judges, comprising academic staff members Miss Ariane Bogain of Northumbria Univeristy, Dr Franck Michel, Dr Elizabeth Andersen, Dr Patricia Oliart and Lucy Hill of Newcastle University, in addition to Student Ambassadors Nicolas and Marcus. Fellow Student Ambassadors Amy, Ben, Liam and Lucy made sterling work of operating the FLSB programme and ensuring that all ran smoothly on the day.