The spelling bee competition helps students master skills which lead to increased literacy and fluency.
The Pierrot Combined School recently hosted the launch of the 2016 National Dental Spelling Bee.
The spelling bee is hosted every year in October, in recognition of Dental Health Month, and is targeted at Grade 3 students throughout the island.
The competition, now into its sixth year, has been sponsored entirely by Colgate with the aim to sensitize children about dental care and hygiene.
Dr. Sherry Ephraim-Le Compte, Senior Dental Surgeon in the Ministry of Health, said the activity is designed to encourage self development and self discipline among students.
“It is not just a matter of spelling. This initiative is to raise an awareness of everything in the field of dentistry, the careers in dentistry, the words that are used, it helps with the diction, it helps with phonics and it also helps with the research skills of the students because they see a word and they don’t just dismiss it, but they do their research; and this carries into the other subject areas for the students.”
Isla Sammy, acting District Education Officer for District 6, said the competition helps students master skills which lead to increased literacy and fluency.
“Spelling competitions help students improve their spelling, broaden their vocabulary, learn new concepts and develop correct English usage. It also forces them to pay attention to pronunciation, and the definition of words. When all of these skills are mastered it leads to an increased ability to read fluently, which is what we are all striving for.”
Colgate Brand Manager, Keneene Betty-Forde said the brand is pleased with the outcome of the competition, and will continue to invest in the education and health of the students.
Last year’s winner, eight year-old Rohan Charles had a few words of advice for the participants in this year’s competition.
“I did not become a winner when I won this competition but rather, I became a winner in the hours, days, weeks and months I spent preparing for this competition. You are all capable winners, if you just try.”
Principal of the Pierrot Combined School, Eugenie Paul-Moonie, said the school is the place where champion spellers are born.
The competition is open to all primary schools. Prizes include tablets and a $1000 cash prize.
The first round of the spelling bee will commence in early November.
