Bitou 10 Spelling Stars Shine Bright at Annual Awards
The month of August was a whirlwind of spelling brilliance across English, Afrikaans, and isiXhosa, all culminating in the Bitou 10 Spelling Stars Awards Ceremony at Formosa Primary School Hall. The event was a vibrant celebration of diligence, literacy, and community partnership.
A Ceremony of Inspiration for a Literate Future
The awards program, led with grace by Mistress of Ceremonies, Lindy van Rooyen, opened with a warm welcome from B10F Director, Dianne Kloka-Speight. The tone for the day was set by an inspiring keynote address from WCED Circuit 4 Manager, Suzette de Villiers, emphasizing the critical role of literacy as the foundation for all learning and opportunity.
The excitement was palpable as the winning learners, who demonstrated mastery in their home and additional languages, were called up. Judges from the Bitou Municipal Libraries and our community word announcers proudly presented the students with their medals and certificates, recognizing their hard work and commitment. This is more than just a competition; it is an investment in the linguistic confidence of Bitou’s youth.
The anticipation reached its peak as the winning schools were announced. The victorious teams received their stunning trophies from Suzette de Villiers and Dianne Kloka-Speight, celebrating not just individual effort, but school-wide academic pride. The day concluded with Vijay Moodley, B10F Director & Head of Libraries, offering a sincere expression of gratitude to all involved.
The Champions: A Fierce Competition
The competition was intense, and the spelling was fierce, but our schools truly rose to the challenge!
| Category | Trophy | Winning School(s) |
|---|---|---|
| English (Home Language) Gr. 1–7 | SASFIN Trophy | Plett Primary School |
| English (First Additional Language) Gr. 8–9 | Speight Trophy | Murray High School |
| Afrikaans (Home Language) Gr. 1–7 | Speight Trophy | Plett Primary School |
| Afrikaans (Home Language) Gr. 8–9 | J. Maree Trophy | Wittedrift High School & Plettenbergbay Secondary School |
| IsiXhosa (Home Language) Gr. 2–7 | SASFIN Trophy | Kwanokuthula Primary School |
A massive congratulations to all the winning schools and to every learner who participated—you are all truly Spelling Stars! We look forward to seeing the return of this spelling brilliance in 2026.
Gratitude: The Heart of the Programme
The Bitou 10 Spelling Stars event would not be possible without the incredible generosity, partnership, and dedicated volunteer spirit of the community.
The Literacy Impact
Your support has not only made it possible for our children to shine but has ensured that literacy is celebrated as a primary goal. By fostering a love for language and rewarding academic excellence, the Bitou 10 Spelling Stars programme is actively building a more articulate, confident, and literate generation of students across the region.
Donors, Sponsors & Partners
We cannot express our gratitude enough to the following individuals and organisations:
- Donors & Trophy Sponsors: Des Harrison & Hunter Hotels, SASFIN, J. Maree, Adrian Speight, and Dianne Kloka-Speight.
- Lunch Sponsors: Jetty Development, Bruce & Ingrid Maclaren (for learners and judges), and Ruby’s Kiss’s (for stage arrangements).
- Dedicated Volunteers: Word Announcers Chris du Preez, Hetta Ludik, and Zandi Cuka, along with Suzy Noble for lunch preparation.
- Bitou Municipal Library Judges: Emmarenthia Du Preez, Josephine Bruiners, Rayneesha Rass, Stella Jantjies, Luzanne Peterson, Phateka Bambata, Mhinki Mboxo, and Shahieda Sam.
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