HUMANSDORP – Five learners from St Patrick’s Primary School in Humansdorp have qualified for the national Sanlam Words Open Worlds (WOW) competition, following impressive performances at the provincial competition.

The first round took place at Kings College in Jeffreys Bay, with 10 St Patrick’s learners progressing to the provincial competition at Cillié High School in Gqeberha.

Five learners from the school qualified for the national event, which will take place in Stellenbosch in October.

Overcoming the odds

St Patrick’s principal, Venita van Wyk, said the achievement was particularly exciting considering some of the challenges faced by the school.

“St Patrick’s is a small school with older infrastructure,” said Van Wyk.

She said many of the school’s learners come from underprivileged backgrounds and face a language barrier, as most are taught in Afrikaans, making their achievements in the competition even more significant.

“Considering some of the challenges the school faces, it is exciting to have learners from our school make it to the nationals of the Sanlam WOW competition,” said Van Wyk.

Rising above the language barrier

She said what was even more impressive was that the learners are taught in Afrikaans, yet at least four of the five learners are competing in English categories.

Van Wyk said the school’s annual participation in the Sanlam WOW competition is a highlight.

“It is a great honour to have the learners compete in the competition, and it is a privilege that five learners from the school will be competing in the national competition,” said Van Wyk.

‘Miss WOW’ and her team

Teacher Mignon Smith, whom Van Wyk refers to as “Miss WOW”, is the convener of the WOW competition at the school, where she, together with her team, prepares the learners ahead of the competition.

Van Wyk said it was a great achievement that many of the learners start spelling from Grade 1, adding that they continue to perform well in the competition each year.

Although St Patrick’s is a small school, she jokingly advised their competitors to “watch out”.

Van Wyk said she always motivates the children to “shine bright like a diamond”.

“I am very proud of them and believe that they have bright futures ahead of them.”

Provincial standouts

At the provincial competition, the learners performed as follows:

• Grade 5 learner Luke Draghoender – third place in Afrikaans Home Language.

• Grade 4 learner Jermhicke Smith – fourth place in English First Additional Language.

• Grade 7 learner Shadiyah Draai – second place in English First Additional Language.

• Grade 7 learner Lautner Groener – first place in English First Additional Language.

• Grade 6 learner Jo-Aine van Willing – second place in English First Additional Language.

Support needed for nationals

With the national competition taking place in Stellenbosch in October, Van Wyk said the learners require sponsorships for accommodation, meals and transportation.

She said each child needs approximately R3,000 for the trip and that the school would appreciate any donations towards their travel costs.

For more information about sponsorship, send an email to venita.vanwyk@gmail.com.

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