RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE GIPPSPELL ZONE FINAL

1. The competition will take the form of oral spelling bees using previously unsighted words drawn from language suitable for each year level. Each contestant, from Year 5 to Year 8, will compete only against students in the same year level.

2. Registered schools may enter a maximum of two students at each year level for the Zone Final, with names given to Gippspell by July 31. It is expected that the school will have selected the students using spelling bee format.

3. There is no official word list or booklet. Words will be selected according to year level and graded for equity. Proper names will not be used.

4. The competition is conducted in rounds. A speller will be given one word per round.

5. Students will have 60 seconds to complete the spelling of a word with a warning bell at 45 seconds. This time begins as soon as the speller has correctly repeated the word given to them by the Announcer.

6. Students, once given a word by the Announcer, must repeat the word to show they have heard the word correctly, spell the word and then repeat the word again to indicate having finished their spelling.

7. Students may ask the Announcer for:

a) the word to be repeated, and/or b) the definition of the word, and/or c) the word in a sentence.

8. If a word has one or more homophones the Pronouncer will indicate which word is to be spelt by giving the definition and/or the word in a sentence.

9. Once spellers begin spelling, each letter they say, including stumbles, is then committed to the spelling of the word and cannot be changed. A speller may pause and then continue spelling. Spellers who choose to start again must indicate they are doing so, but may not alter their original spelling of the word.

10. Upon correct spelling of the word, the student progresses to the next round of the competition. Spellers are eliminated from the competition once they spell a word incorrectly. Any word that has been misspelled will not be used again. Should all students incorrectly spell their words in a single round, that round will recommence.

11. If spellers have not completed the spelling of their word at the 60-second mark, they are disqualified. A second ring of the bell at 60 seconds will indicate that time is up.

12. The speller should not be interrupted during the spelling of a word. The speller is permitted to complete the word before adjudication; regardless of whether the spelling of the word is correct or not.

13. Members of the audience may not interfere with, help or distract a speller in any way. No communication should be made with the students when it is their turn to spell.

14. The Macquarie Dictionary is the key authority for the correct spelling and pronunciation of a word, with the Australian or British spelling overriding the American.

15. While we will always endeavour to correct our mistakes, the decision of judges will be final.

DETAILS & CONTACTS FOR ZONE FINAL HOSTS

5. Bass Coast: Alison Stewart- Bass Valley PS Aug 7 (10.00 am)
6. Baw Baw: - Sharon Gardiner – Marist Sion, Warragul Aug 14 (N)
10. Cardinia: - Rosemary Russell, Beacon Hills Aug 1 (N)
10. Casey – Toni Arfaras, Kilberry Valley PS Aug 7 (7.00 pm)
16. East Gippsland: John Kinniburgh – Lakes Entrance PS Aug 29 (11.30 am)
29. La Trobe: Alan Smith, Lowanna C, Newborough Aug 6 (10.00 am)
45. South Gippsland: - Judy Smith - Korrumburra PS Aug 15 (N)
53: Wellington: - Penelope Monger, Gippsland Grammar Aug 17 (10.30 am)

M: Mornington – Laura Quigley, Benton Junior College Aug 30 (N)

(d) = day (n) = evening

CONTACT FOR INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION
Trevor Sowdon
Tel: 03 5662 4355 (school hours)

gippspell@gmail.com

KEY DATES

May – June: Schools register for GIPPSPELL

June: Schools run their competitions to select two representatives per year level.

July: Schools notify Trevor Sowdon of the names of their representatives.

August: Zone finals to be held at host schools. Schools to be notified of times and venues.

Wednesday September 5

Provincial Final - Traralgon Lavalla CC - Kim Widrich, September 5 11.00 am

To download the application form click here.