Durban pupils to compete in Kids Lit Quiz finals in New Zealand

Durban pupils to compete in Kids Lit Quiz finals in New Zealand

Four Durban pupils will soon jet off to New Zealand for the finals of a literature competition.

Durban pupils to compete in Kids Lit Quiz finals in New Zealand
Manor Gardens Primary School

Helena Hattingh, Anjini Naicker, Tia Robbertze and Lily Platter of Manor Gardens Primary School will join participants from 10 other countries in July to compete for the ultimate title of Kids Lit Quiz world champions.


It will be their first trip out of the country.


The four Grade 7 learners were crowned the South African Kids Lit Quiz champions at a national event in Cape Town on Saturday.


Their coach and teacher, Isobel Sobey, says the competition involves answering questions on children's books.


"We believe that without reading, there is no learning. Every aspect of your life, you are required to read, even if you are working on a computer or playing a game. So any kind of reading is valued. Reading is the number one skill."


The girls say they are preparing every day for the competition.


Anjini Naicker says having a passion for reading makes preparations for the competition easier.


"It is something that you have to make sure you enjoy doing and it is not a sport, it doesn't require anything. It is just a way for you to get away from everything. For me, it gives me space. I have my own little bubble where I take a book and read and I kind of melt into the story.


For Helena, reading allows her to explore different worlds.


"If you don't like reading, you just haven't read enough because all the stories are so beautiful and you can travel to all these worlds. It is a beautiful experience, really."


The team is currently raising R250 000 for the trip through Back-a-Buddy and fundraising activities at school.


The details of the fund can be found on the school's website.

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