Following five rounds of words for each student, the team from Agape Total Life Academy dominated this year’s 2017 Primary School Spelling Bee Championships. The team edged out their competitors at the competition held earlier this week, Monday, May 15, at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall.

The students from the Bregado Flax Education Centre secured second place, while the students from the Joyce Samuel Primary School came in third.

The other finalists of the competition were Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary and Alexandrina Maduro Primary.

The top five schools advanced to the finals, following the competition's semi-finals held on May 8. The schools that didn’t move forward to the finals were Althea Scaliffe Primary, Cedar International, Isabella Morris Primary, Ivan Dawson Primary and Leonora Delville Primary School.

Mrs. Heida Joyles-Selwood, coordinator of the competition, said the event is important to aid the development of the Territory’s students.

She stated that the competition was not only to increase the students’ ability to spell, but it also allows them to foster comradery and improve social interactions.

“They develop their skills in grammar, in writing, in speaking and so much more. It helps them to develop and do better.”

She added, “What we [Ministry of Education] do is try to showcase the students and their skills in spelling, pronunciation and using words in sentences.”

This competition follows the end of the senior spelling competition, which saw Ryan Ramlall of Bregado Flax Educational walking away with the 2017 title.

The other competitors were Khemisha Stoutt from the Elmore Stoutt High School, who secured second place, followed by her schoolmate in third, Jade Allison Straker. Aria Creque and Lekeisha Allen of Cedar International placed 4th and 5th respectively.