PENDANG: Students of SM Pendang are excited over the prospect of pitting
their English-language skills against the best in the state.

Many have been inquiring about the RHB-NST Spell-It-Right (SIR)
challenge.

Teachers from the English department have been busy fielding answers
from eager participants.

They have also been organising quizzes for students in preparation for
the SIR challenge, jointly organised by the New Straits Times and the RHB
Banking group.

The school's head of English, Rabta Hamzah, said the TV3 commercial
featuring the contest had triggered interest among students.

"They are excited and raring to prove that a school in the rural area
is also game for such a challenge."

She said students were brushing up on their English by reading the New
Straits Times.

"Everyone is fired up about entering the contest. It has stirred our
imagination."

The SIR challenge is divided into primary and secondary categories to
be conducted at state and national levels.

The state challenge is open to 36 schools with nine top spellers
qualifying for the state finals.

The champion speller in the primary category at state level will take
home RM1,000 with the runner-up and second runner-up receiving RM800 and
RM500 respectively. The top three schools also win the same amount.

The state champion and runner-up at secondary level will win RM2,000
and RM1,500 respectively while the second runner-up will get RM1,000. The
top three schools will receive the same amount.

The state primary champions will compete in the national challenge in
August.

Fourteen episodes of the contest will air on TV3 every Saturday from
May.

Look out for entry forms in the NST from Saturday. For details, visit
www.nst.com.my, www.emedia.com.my or www.rhb.com.my.