Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
St John’s Prep wins Kids’ Lit Quiz
ST JOHN’S Prep boys have once again secured victory at this year’s finals at the Kids’ Lit Quiz, adding to their win in 2019.
Joseph Moultrie, Daniel Crane, Saahil Shah-Naidoo, and Ben Anderson rose to the occasion, qualifying for the world final by displaying their fierce intellect and teamwork.
Facing off against nine top-tier teams at the Grove School in Cape Town last Saturday, boys proved once again that they are an unbeatable force.
Overcoming challenges and surpassing more than 100 teams in the regionals, their triumphant win truly cements their place as literary champions.
The Kids’ Lit Quiz is an annual literary quiz for children between 10 and 13 years old, held in South Africa, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia,
Nigeria, Singapore, Thailand and the US. It was started 28 years ago by the quizmaster and former University of Auckland lecturer Wayne Mills to promote the “sport of reading” among children with a passion for literature.
The competition consists of a series of regional heats in each country, with the national champions of each country going on to compete for the world title. The quiz was brought to South Africa in 2003 by Marj Brown, a teacher and enthusiastic literacy advocate.
St John’s Prep has taken part in the competition since its arrival in the country, winning the national title five times and the world title in Toronto, Canada, in 2017.
The team’s victory in Cape Town means that they’re through to the world final, to be hosted in Canberra, Australia, in July, where they will be going up against national winners from around the world. Reaching the finals is viewed as an incredible accolade and proof that the school motto, Readers make Leaders, has made an impression on these young minds.
Nicky Sulter, St John’s Prep librarian and team coach, explained the effect the competition has: “For the boys chosen to take part in the quiz, the experience is, at the very least, fun and stimulating.
“At the South African and world finals, they have the opportunity to meet like-minded children who love reading as much as they do. Many of these children do not necessarily receive the traditional accolades offered in school – academic, sporting, drama, art and service, for example – and find well-deserved recognition in the quiz. For some, this experience has arguably been life-changing.”
Adds Lester Lalla, the Prep headmaster: “We are incredibly proud of our students for achieving first place in the national Kids’ Lit Quiz.”
Sulter said: “Reading for pleasure is at the heart of our academic endeavour at St John’s Prep, and it is a passport to the world, where our boys get to travel to untold destinations.
“Their exceptional knowledge, teamwork, and determination have set a remarkable example for the entire school. This victory is a testament to their dedication and the support of our talented educators. Congratulations to all involved.”