Pupils in battle of memory, wits
SEATIDES Combined School emerged the winner in the Daily News Varsity College High School Quiz, Zone 2 round yesterday.
The event was hosted at Varsity College in Durban North.
Hillcrest High School (Team 1) and Westville Boys’ High were named joint winners in their round, hosted at Westville Boys’ High School.
Each week, high school teams engage in a battle of memory and wits, in the hope of winning top spot in the quiz.
Pupils have to answer eight questions each in the categories of current affairs, business, sport, politics and entertainment – all based on articles that appeared in the Daily News.
In Durban North, Verulam Secondary School (Teams 1 and 2) took second and third spot, while Crescent Girls’ came in fourth. In Westville, uMlazi Comtech was third and Star College, fourth.
Commenting on the quiz, Kevin Johnson, senior deputy principal of Varsity College Westville, said it was a great opportunity for pupils to learn more about the outside world.
“We are so proud to be a part of this fantastic initiative. This opens up opportunities for students to compete against each other on another level. Usually schools compete against each other in sports.
“This is different. It gives them an opportunity to compete on an academic level. Here, we are giving back and encouraging young people to read newspapers and discover more about the world around them.
“They are now learning about current affairs, sports, politics and so much more,” said Johnson.
The Daily News High School Quiz is a partnership between the newspaper and Varsity College, the main sponsor.
The competition is a pilot project. The final will be held on September 11.
The winning school will receive a cash prize of R20 000 with a R150 000 bursary and floating trophy.
Each team member will receive a cash prize of R2 000. The runnersup will get R10 000 and a certificate.
Each team member will receive a prize.
Audience members can expect to win spot prizes, too.