After an intense competition dotting ‘I’s’ and crossing ‘T’s’, four Hunter students fought their way to the top in the NSW Premier’s Spelling Bee finals.

Prevailing in the junior heat was New Lambton Public’s Wafiq Ayyash, who after 11 rounds won with the word “treachery”.

The Year 3 pupil moved to Australia from Bangladesh three years ago, with English being his second language.

He was one of nearly 200,000 primary school students who participated in the event, making his way into the top 30 at the finals in Penrith this month.

It’s the second consecutive year a first-time Newcastle competitor has snagged such a spot in the junior finals, with Hamilton South Public’s Maya Thiruchelvanm winning the 2023 prize with “tortellini”.

Alongside Wafiq was Maitland duo Marley Hodgson and Kynan Levey, who went head-to-head in the competition.

Also making their way into the finals, the pair beat a combined 1,800 students in a series of regional heats, faced with words such as “fascinate”, “anemometer”, “allegory” and “sovereign”.

Marly, in Year 4 at Thornton Public, competed in the juniors while Kynan, in Year 5 at Rutherford Public, in the seniors.

Despite falling short of the prize, Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison congratulated the two pupils.

“Being able to spell is the foundation of great writing and reading,” she said.

“These are all vital life-long skills.

“It’s great these two Maitland students have achieved such great results in the NSW Premier’s Spelling Bee.

“I know their families, schools and the wider Maitland community are all very proud of them.”

But, as the rounds progressed only two contestants were left in the seniors, Year 6 students Mary Emile Obligado from Hunter School of Performing Arts and Zachary Forgie from Samuel Gilbert Public School.

Newcastle’s Mary Emile was one word away from winning the title, but after exceeding the time limit to spell “hydrangea”, it was clear nerves got the better of her.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said it was an excellent display of the talented students from across the state.

“Reading, writing and spelling are foundational skills for young learners, and this spelling bee gives some of our brightest students a chance to show their spelling skills while having a bit of fun,” he explained.

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