Pupils from across our Trust recently gathered at Gonville and Caius College, University of Cambridge, for the exciting Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Spelling Bee final. This fantastic event celebrated their hard work and passion for languages.
The competition was fierce, with pupils demonstrating their exceptional spelling abilities in French, Spanish and German. After an intense final round, the winners were announced:
- Primary winner: Daniel Berardini from Ormiston Meadows Academy. Daniel’s outstanding performance secured a £250 prize towards a French Day for his academy.
- Secondary, and overall winner: Riya Singh from Cliff Park Ormiston Academy took home the top prize – a city break worth £750 for herself and two family members to either Paris or Nice.
- Secondary runner-up: Eseosa Osunde impressed judges with her linguistic prowess, securing second place.
- Secondary 3rd place: Abigail Bellfield claimed the third spot with a commendable performance.
The event would not have been possible without the dedication and expertise of our exceptional support staff. It was hosted by Joe Bradley, Head of Enrichment, and Lisa Fildes, Lead Practitioner for Enrichment.
A special thank you goes to Ms. Green from Cliff Park Ormiston Academy (French) and Ms. Molina from Ormiston Chadwick Academy (Spanish) for their invaluable contributions. Their professionalism, linguistic expertise, and commitment ensured the competition ran smoothly, and their fairness as judges was truly commendable. Their linguistic skills and encouragement were greatly appreciated by the pupils and organisers alike.
The day also included a special presentation by Dr Rebecca Sugden, followed by a guided tour of the university campus led by current undergraduates. This inspiring experience allowed pupils and their families to explore the prestigious surroundings of Cambridge, providing them with a glimpse into the opportunities that higher education can offer.
Gratitude was also extended to the Gonville and Caius College outreach team, who played a crucial role in organising the event and ensuring its success. Their support made the day truly memorable for everyone involved.
There was some great feedback from attendees, who highlighted the event’s positive impact.
Mari Molina, Spanish Teacher at Ormiston Chadwick Academy said: “Thank you so much for the experience at Cambridge. It was a beautiful venue and an incredible opportunity for our students.”
Oliwia Dublanka, sister of Charlie Tavares (Ormiston SWB Academy): “Thank you for organising a wonderful day!”
Sharon Nwaopara, parent of Praise Nwaopara (Ormiston NEW Academy) added: “It was lovely to accompany my daughter to the spelling bee competition, and we are very proud of her as a family.”
Head of Enrichment, Joe Bradley, said: “The MFL Spelling Bee is part of OAT’s commitment to providing a broad and enriching education for all. It has been a fantastic event this year and the linguists here today have a very bright future ahead of them. To be at the final students worked hard to get through competitive earlier rounds and everyone should be proud of their achievements. The truly impressive talent on display is testament to the dedication of the students and the passion of their teachers. Many congratulations to everyone who took part!”
The MFL Spelling Bee final was a fantastic celebration of language learning, inspiring pupils to pursue their passion for languages and embrace new opportunities. Congratulations to all participants for their dedication and achievements!