Thursday 4 December 2014

THE UK NATIONAL FINAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL KIDS LIT QUIZ

After a see-saw tussle between several teams, Litcham School won this year's UK National Final.
Unfortunately Ermysted Grammar School arrived late and may have challenged for the lead if their train had not been delayed; as it was they came second.  Three schools tied for third place, but in a "sudden death" play-off this position was won by Comberton Village School. Today's winning team (Amelia, Sam, Eleanor and Madeleine) and their coach Cathy Berry went away with travel bags from Serco, a cheque from MLS towards their international travel, books & tee-shirts from Walker Books, teddy bears and a trophy from Softlink, goodie bags from Scholastic and MacMillan, a subscription to Discovery World by Bayard Press,  opportunities to attend a SLA Training Day, the UK KLQ National Cup and an invitation to attend the KLQ World Final in Connecticut in 2015.

Our guest speaker, Anthony Horowitz, wished all the teams well and the day's proceedings were masterly conducted by Alec Williams.  Our authors, Lindsey Barraclough, Margaret Bateson-Hill,
Jo Franklin, Alan Gibbons, Frances Hardinge, Marie-Louise Jensen, Sally Nicholls, Samira Osman,
Mark Robson and Teri Terry lead the teams in to the hall to their respective places. The venue was the magnificent Great Hall at King's College Wimbledon where we were made extremely welcome and treated to a wonderful celebration tea, which included an enormous KLQ cake.  Many thanks to Anne Beddoe and Helen Pugh who were the local organisers, and to Jacky Atkinson, Gaynor Cooper, Barbara Hickford, and the rest of the National committee.
Looking forward to meeting you all again next year.
Happy reading
Wayne.

Tuesday 2 December 2014

SOUTH ENGLAND HEAT

The quest to find the best literary teams in the UK has finished.  This  afternoon's final  heat saw some really outstanding performances.  Congratulations to St Paul's B who entered for the first time and came second. But to you: Merlin, Rory, Sophie and William from  Portsmouth B, your first placing was well deserved.  In the third place with another high score was Windlesham B.  The prizes donated by Scholastic and Dorset House were awarded by our author Philip Womack.  Thank you for the well organised heat Mrs Hutchings.
Happy reading.
Wayne,  Quizmaster

Monday 1 December 2014

WALES HEAT

Just as we were getting towards the end of the UK heats we had a three-way tie for first.
One of the tied teams was our authors: Marie-Louise Jensen, and Fleur Hitchcock, but the other two teams were Howell's 2 and Bristol Grammar 2.  The nervous tie-breaker was won by Bristol Grammar 2 thus making Howell's 2 the second.  Daisy, Lottie, Lottie and Christos now have two days to get ready for the National Final.  In third place was Howell's No: 1 team.  Many thanks to the great Year 13 students from Bishop of Llandaff School for assisting with the marking and Mrs Olivari for organising tonight's heat.  There was a great turnout by spectators which I am sure the readers appreciated.

Happy reading Wayne.

Friday 28 November 2014

SOUTH WEST ENGLAND HEAT

This was another new venue today and Tavistock College really made everybody welcome with their kind  hospitality.  Truro Prep School won the heat, and what was amazing about their win, was that they were all year 6's!!  Pats on the back to: Kit, George, Max and Mia.  In second place was Devonport High School team 1 and in third place was Torquay Boys' Grammar School.  Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishers for donating today's book prizes.  A special mention must be made to Lizzie who won £6 from me in spot prizes.  Thank you to Mrs Hubbard and all the staff at Tavistock College
for a wonderful first time heat.    Happy reading
Wayne Mills Quizmaster.

Thursday 27 November 2014

SOUTH LONDON HEAT

Another great event this afternoon.  This heat has certainly grown from last year.  It was supported by six authors -Lindsey Barraclough, Samira Osman, Marie-Louse Jensen, Sophia Bennett, Mark Robson and Jo Franklin  The winning school had never entered before so was thrilled to do so well.  They were Latymer Upper School A.  This was a great achievement by Lily, Isabela, Alex and Tulsi.  The prizes were awarded by the Head of English,  Mr Nick Attwood. and were kindly supplied by Heath Educational Books. In second place was Kings' College Junior School,  closely followed by Emanuel School by half a point.   Kings' College School is the venue for the UK Final next week, and the organisers, Anne Beddoe and Helen Pugh are looking forward to once again hosting us in their mighty hall
Happy reading - Wayne Quizmaster.

Wednesday 26 November 2014

NORTH LONDON HEAT

Wow, what a tense and exciting heat this afternoon.  World-winning school, The City of London School for Girls' team 1, won by two points from host school Arnold House team 1.  These two teams had traded places the whole way through the heat   Well done to Ailish, Rosie, Beatrix and Aviva  and especially to Ailish the only surviving member of the 2014 World Winning KLQ team.  In third place was  Broxbourne School.  Our authors, Piers Torday, Stephen Davies, Marie-Louise Jensen, and Jason Rohan easily ran out the overall winners by ten points.  Todays prizes were kindly donated by Arnold House.  Many thanks to Leonie Flynn  and Arnold House School  The prizes were presented by the Headmaster, Mr Thomas who wished The City of London School for Girls the best of luck in the forth coming UK  KLQ finals
Happy reading  Wayne Quizmaster.

Tuesday 25 November 2014

EAST ENGLAND HEAT

Very fast and and exciting heat this afternoon in Corringham Village Hall.  The title was defended by last year's champions, King Edward V1 School.  Congratulations to James. Oliver, Reuben and Joshua.   In second place was Bancroft's School 1, and in third place Boswell School 1.  All winning teams received a book each,  courtesy of Egmont Publishing.  The Event was organised by Thurrock Libraries staff,  all of whom have done so for a number of years  Happy Reading
Wayne Quizmaster