NUSAJAYA, Wednesday, 9th November 2011: UEM Land Holdings Berhad (UEM Land), the master developer of Nusajaya, the key driver of Iskandar Malaysia, successfully organised a spelling bee competition dubbed as “Spell-it-Right” contest for its PINTAR primary schools pupils at Theatrette Hall, Bangunan Sultan Ismail, Kota Iskandar, today.

The programme organised in collaboration with Johor Bahru District Education Department (PPDJB) received 100 participations from 10 UEM Land’s PINTAR primary schools around Gelang Patah. The Spell-it-Right contest, organised for the first time was divided into two broad categories – Year Five and Year Six and consisted of three sessions; preliminary session, knock out session and best speller session.

During the preliminary session, all registered contestants were required to sit for written spelling test to select the best 25 students from each category to proceed to the second session, the spelling bee contest. To avoid any remonstration and dissatisfaction amongst teachers and students, contestants were given the opportunity to pick their words by selecting any numbers (1 to 50), projected on the screen in each round.

The one-day spelling bee contest commenced with Year Five category where more than 20 qualified pupils competed for approximately one and half hours of heated yet fun and friendly competition. Subsequently, immediately after lunch, the programme was continued with a batch of more than 20 Year Six pupils, who underwent the same process as their juniors.

The Year Five category was won by Nurul Nabiha Illyana Binti Mohd Ruzuki of Sekolah Kebangsaan Nusantara, who took home cash prize of RM350. Elliyan Mizati Binti Mohd Ismail from Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Nusa Perintis 1 and Nurul Najwa Binti Zaharuddin from Sekolah Kebangsaan Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar won the second and third place and grabbed home cash prizes of RM250 and RM100 respectively. Whilst two consolation winners, Aidyl Irfan Bin Ahmad Faizal and Mohd Aiman Firdaus Bin Rasman, both from Sekolah Kebangsaan Nusa Perintis 1, each, bagged home cash prize of RM75.

Muhammad Zulkifli Bin Mohd Fawzi from Sekolah Kebangsaan Tiram Duku was declared as the winner of Year Six category to claim cash prize of RM350. The first and second runner up went to Muhammad Azrul Daniel Bin Md Nizam from Sekolah Kebangsaan Kg. Pulai with cash prize of RM250 and Haris Danial Bin Mohd Makhzan from Sekolah Kebangsaan Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar took home cash prize of RM100. Whereas Nur Jamilah Binti Mohd Jailani from Sekolah Kebangsaan Nusa Perintis 1 and Tengku Seri Nadhirah Binti Tengku Muzamir from Sekolah Kebangsaan Kompleks Sultan Abu bakar, the consolation prize winners, bagged home cash prize of RM75.

The programme ended with best speller session where top five winners from each category competed for three rounds to be awarded as the best speller. For this session, contestants were tested and scores were given in two areas - spelling accuracy and ability to construct sentences with given words. Muhammad Zulkifli Bin Mohd Fawzi, winner of Year Six category was once again announced as the winner in this category and declared as the best speller, to pocket an additional cash prize of RM350.

“I am happy and my achievement had made both of my parents proud. Personally, I am ecstatic because not only I won the first place of Year Six category but I also won the best speller award. My instinct told me that I could win the competition yet I still work hard to give my best and not to underestimate my opponents”, said Muhammad Zulkifli Bin Mohd Fawzi.

“Overall, it was good. It provided an excellent platform for the students to explore their capabilities. Honestly, my students enjoyed the programme so much. To them it was very challenging and they are eager to compete in similar programme again, next year. They like the adrenaline of the competition, being up onstage and to give all their best to win and learn”, said Mr Godfrey Chu Sim Tsin, Head of English Panel, Sekolah Kebangsaan Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar.

The inaugural spell-it-right contest is part of UEM Land on-going quests to develop and engender an English-proficient community in all UEM Land’s PINTAR schools. The programme targeted at primary school students aimed at helping students to improve their spelling skills and master their spelling foundation. Additionally, the programme also aimed at enhancing students’ vocabularies, developing correct English language and encouraging students to learn the language.