Silverlea Primary school excels in competition

SILVERLEA Primary School in Silvertown, Athlone won big at the Western Cape Literacy Competition and hopes to inspire a reading culture within its school.

The school bagged first, second, third and fourth place in the competition, which was held across several rounds throughout the year.

The competition tested the pupils by giving them a booklet that contained words and information based on literacy. They should not only know how to spell everything in it, but know definitions and parts of speech.

This year’s competition was virtual, so the pupils had many practice rounds.

The school’s Grade four, five and six pupils competed against 375 teams.

Principal Sharon Coetzee said the school was under-resourced when it came to technology and that the prize money would mostly be spent on enhancing technology in the school by buying projectors or e-beams, and whiteboards. She said the school would also look into a literacy programme, which pupils could use at school and on their smartphones.

A winner, Lyndell Morkel, said: “This is a big deal because this will open many opportunities for me, especially looking for a high school. The prize money will allow me to work more independently at home, on technology, instead of asking my mom for her phone,” she said.

Milani Kama said: “I have never taken part in such competitions before and I am very proud of myself and my school.”.

Luca Alexander, who won R10 000, said the competition would guarantee he got into a good high school.

Sadiyah Padayache said her R20 000 prize meant she could help to pay for stationery, uniforms and school fees.

| SUPPLIED SILVERLEA Primary School did well in a Western Cape literacy competition.