Teachers rally after NAPLAN with record students playing PM’s Bee

As experts call for a return to more explicit teaching in the wake of the nation’s NAPLAN results, teachers lead the charge with record students numbers in the PM’s Spelling Bee.

Australia’s frontline educators stepped up this week in the wake of troubling NAPLAN results. A record number of teachers have now signed up for the free, online Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee, registering a record number of students across years 3-8.

Over 63,000 and counting are currently competing in the national school round, which is open until 5pm AEST on Friday 23 August.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare encourage all teachers and eligible students to "have a crack" at this year's Bee. Picture: supplied

Run by free classroom news site Kids News, the Bee’s busiest day for page views coincided with NAPLAN results dropping like a lead balloon. But teachers reacted swiftly, with the Bee clocking over 51,000 views on August 14 alone. Teacher, school and student numbers had all hit new records by the close of business Thursday.

While 2554 teachers at 1120 schools nationwide are already running the Bee, federal Education Minister Jason Clare encouraged all teachers and eligible students to have a go.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, left, visiting a school with Education Minister Jason Clare, said previously he is looking forward to meeting the winners of the PM’s Spelling Bee in Canberra after the competition ends. Picture: supplied

“Just like our returning athletes had to practise for the Olympics, practising spelling is just as important,” Minister Clare said.

“Learning to spell, learning to read: those foundational skills are what sets you up for the future.

“Just like our Aussie Olympians did in Paris, I encourage every teacher and schoolkid to ‘go for gold’ and have a crack at the PM’s Spelling Bee.”

Minister Clare said practising spelling was as necessary as Australia’s athletes practising before the Olympics. Picture: supplied

News Corp Australia’s community ambassador Penny Fowler said the PM’s Spelling Bee was an important part of Kids News’ commitment to developing universal childhood literacy.

“Spelling is an absolute cornerstone for success in the classroom and in the years beyond,” Mrs Fowler said.

“This new record is a wonderful testament to the hard work teachers from across the nation perform daily and underlines increasing awareness of the need for our children to grow into top spellers.”

News Corp Australia community ambassador Penny Fowler said, “This new record is a wonderful testament to the hard work teachers from across the nation perform daily”. Picture: David Caird

Education Minister Jason Clare, seen left at a school visit, encourages all teachers and eligible students to "have a crack" at this year's Bee. Picture: supplied

Kids News editor and competition administrator Diana Jenkins said enhanced user features meant the coming week was plenty of time to take part.

“The Bee’s digital parental consent form and bulk student upload features have been a big hit with teachers,” she said. “Less admin makes it so easy for more schools to build spelling skills in a fun way that gets kids excited.”

Teachers can register and students across Years 3-8 can play the national school round of the free, fun, online PM’s Spelling Bee until 5pm AEST on Friday 23 August. Visit spelling-bee.com.au or kidsnews.com.au for more information and to enter.

Teachers can register and students can play the Prime Minister's Spelling Bee school round right up until 5pm AEST on Friday 23 August 2024.