7 PRIZEGIVING AND AWARDS Handsworth Grammar school’s participation in the Foreign Language Spelling Bee, organised by Routes into Languages (www.flsb.co.uk) is now in its third year, again with great success. The class competitions took place in the week before the Christmas holidays and the school competition was held on 7th February. The three school winners were Ismaeel Tayyab, 7A (1st place), Rayyan Ahmed, 7N (2nd place) and Adam Mahmood, 7A (3rd place). The three school winners competed in the regional finals at Tudor Grange Academy on 6th April 2017, where Adam came second and Rayyan made third place – a fantastic achievement. This secured both of them a place at the National Finals in Cambridge on 30th of June. Adam: “At first, I felt worried because I had practised a lot and I did not want it all to go to waste. The best bit about it was when my name was called out to say I was through to the next round. At the next stage, in the school competition, I felt slightly relaxed since I felt I had practised a lot more. When I went up to the stage, I looked directly to the back of the hall so I would not be distracted. Luckily, I came third, just making it through with two tie breaks. I have made it to the finals now . . . fingers crossed!” Rayyan: “I am now a finalist in the German Spelling Bee Nationals. The class competition was quite easy as I only had to learn fifty words. The hardest word was “Wörterbuch”. After coming second in the class competition I then went on to the school competition, which was way harder as the other students were both really quick and really clear. Ismaeel (7A) came first and there was tough competition for 2nd place between me and Adam. I won and I was very happy. All three of us went through to the regionals.” Both students are practising hard for this final challenge. We wish them lots of luck! Year 7 German Spelling Bee Year 7 have collectively raised £1,218.90 this year by taking part in the Annual Sponsored Walk around Handsworth Park. Through their Year Councils they have chosen the following charities to support: Water Aid Macmillan Cancer Support MIND the money will be equally divided. NOW Education kindly supported us again and Mrs Sunita Randhawa attended assembly to present the prizes to the students who raised the most amount of money for charity. Parth Patel 7 Nelson – £197 Alex Cummings 7 Henry – £83 Abdul Kazmi 7 Nelson – £63.60 Ubaid Khan 7 Henry – £50 Rohan Mahmood 7 Henry – £50 Mohammed – Saihaan Ali 7 Alfred – £50. This is a fantastic achievement by the whole year group – well done Y7 Annual Sponsored Walk 2016