Top Newham spellers bring home the trophies

Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales handed out trophies to young people who were top of the class for spelling.

Sir Robin and Councillor Quintin Peppiatt, executive member for children and young people, went to Elmhurst Primary School in Forest Gate where children from 22 primary schools competed over two days in a Spelling Bee competition.

Elmhurst teachers Rubina Rehman and Zenam Khan worked with Newham Council’s library service to put the event together.

After a closely fought competition pupils from Elmhurst School were the victors, followed by Stratford’s Park Primary School and Plaistow’s Tollgate Primary School.

Sir Robin said: “To reach their full potential every child must be able to read, write and spell. That is why the investment we are making to help our primary school youngsters improve in these areas is massively important.

“I was inspired by the young people who were asked to spell a broad selection of words with varying degrees of difficulty. I congratulate those who received trophies but everyone involved was a winner. All the young people had fun and learned something in an entertaining way. Each and every one of us should be promoting good spelling and literacy amongst our children at every opportunity.”

Teacher Zenam Khan said: “We invited more than 50 primary schools and only expected to get about a dozen. We had to keep extending the numbers until we couldn’t take any more. We are thrilled it was successful and that the children were able to show their love for words and spelling. We hope to arrange another competition in the next school year.”