Thursday 4 December 2014

THE UK NATIONAL FINAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL KIDS LIT QUIZ

After a see-saw tussle between several teams, Litcham School won this year's UK National Final.
Unfortunately Ermysted Grammar School arrived late and may have challenged for the lead if their train had not been delayed; as it was they came second.  Three schools tied for third place, but in a "sudden death" play-off this position was won by Comberton Village School. Today's winning team (Amelia, Sam, Eleanor and Madeleine) and their coach Cathy Berry went away with travel bags from Serco, a cheque from MLS towards their international travel, books & tee-shirts from Walker Books, teddy bears and a trophy from Softlink, goodie bags from Scholastic and MacMillan, a subscription to Discovery World by Bayard Press,  opportunities to attend a SLA Training Day, the UK KLQ National Cup and an invitation to attend the KLQ World Final in Connecticut in 2015.

Our guest speaker, Anthony Horowitz, wished all the teams well and the day's proceedings were masterly conducted by Alec Williams.  Our authors, Lindsey Barraclough, Margaret Bateson-Hill,
Jo Franklin, Alan Gibbons, Frances Hardinge, Marie-Louise Jensen, Sally Nicholls, Samira Osman,
Mark Robson and Teri Terry lead the teams in to the hall to their respective places. The venue was the magnificent Great Hall at King's College Wimbledon where we were made extremely welcome and treated to a wonderful celebration tea, which included an enormous KLQ cake.  Many thanks to Anne Beddoe and Helen Pugh who were the local organisers, and to Jacky Atkinson, Gaynor Cooper, Barbara Hickford, and the rest of the National committee.
Looking forward to meeting you all again next year.
Happy reading
Wayne.

Tuesday 2 December 2014

SOUTH ENGLAND HEAT

The quest to find the best literary teams in the UK has finished.  This  afternoon's final  heat saw some really outstanding performances.  Congratulations to St Paul's B who entered for the first time and came second. But to you: Merlin, Rory, Sophie and William from  Portsmouth B, your first placing was well deserved.  In the third place with another high score was Windlesham B.  The prizes donated by Scholastic and Dorset House were awarded by our author Philip Womack.  Thank you for the well organised heat Mrs Hutchings.
Happy reading.
Wayne,  Quizmaster

Monday 1 December 2014

WALES HEAT

Just as we were getting towards the end of the UK heats we had a three-way tie for first.
One of the tied teams was our authors: Marie-Louise Jensen, and Fleur Hitchcock, but the other two teams were Howell's 2 and Bristol Grammar 2.  The nervous tie-breaker was won by Bristol Grammar 2 thus making Howell's 2 the second.  Daisy, Lottie, Lottie and Christos now have two days to get ready for the National Final.  In third place was Howell's No: 1 team.  Many thanks to the great Year 13 students from Bishop of Llandaff School for assisting with the marking and Mrs Olivari for organising tonight's heat.  There was a great turnout by spectators which I am sure the readers appreciated.

Happy reading Wayne.