On Friday the South African Council for English Education (SACEE) Eastern Cape division held its first annual Spelling Bee as the first part of their Public Speaking Challenge. The event was hosted by Framesby High School. Candidates were supplied with lists (jnr list and snr list) of 450 words each which they had to learn for the competition.The event had two divisions:

Junior: grades 7 – 9
Senior: grades 10 – 12
Schools which entered included:
1. Framesby
2. Collegiate Senior
3. Alexander Road
4. Gamble Street
5. Paterson
6. Sanctor
7. Sunridge Primary
8. Charlo Primary

We allowed schools to enter a maximum of 4 students and had, in total 29 entrants. We had 3 judges per division, which are SACEE members and included retired members given that the event took place during work hours. Judges included retired: English Professor at NMMU, Dean of Students at WITS University, Vice- Principal at Alexander Road High School, HOD of English Riebeeck College, and two HODs at Framesby. We had most candidates for the Junior Division and they all brought spectators with them resulting in a full classroom The winners: Junior Division: Henry Jeppe, Sunridge Senior Division: Ruché Windvogel, Paterson High School Feedback from schools: There was an overwhelmingly positive response from students and teachers and requests
about the next speaking challenge.

SACEE’s Public Speaking Challenge events for the rest of the year include:
Term 2: Dramatic reading or monologue
Term 3: Prepared and unprepared speeches
Term 4: Grande Finale – top 3 from each division will compete for top prizes.