Well-read children from Te Horo School dominated a recent book quiz, the team-based Kapiti Mastermind Competition, as part of the annual New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards.
The competition is one of many events and festivities that took place throughout New Zealand in a month-long literary celebration, a time of year when our country recognises the best books for children and teenagers published annually in New Zealand.
Organised by Kapiti Coast District Libraries youth services coordinator, Pam Coleman and her team, competition quiz questions related to award finalists, and covered a range of 15 non-fiction and fiction books, including picture book titles.
‘Nine Kapiti schools, with a total of 13 teams, took part in the competition. Heats were held at Kenakena School and Te Horo School, culminating in the final at Waikanae Baptist Church,’ explained Mrs Coleman.
Four senior teams made the final, three from Te Horo School and one from Raumati Beach School. Junior teams from Kapanui School and Te Horo School were also involved, along with first-timers, Paekakariki School.
‘It was wonderful to see Paekakariki School in the final this year, especially as it was their first attempt.’
However, teams from Te Horo School, each with five children, overwhelmed the competition, as in previous years. The school has won the junior division (they have only been a senior school since 2010) for eight consecutive years, and the senior teams’ winning performance (first, second and third) builds on last year’s prize placement.
‘It was a wonderful achievement for Te Horo School,’ said Mrs Coleman. ‘Their students were very well prepared.’
School principal, Craig Vidulich, said children begin reading the finalists’ books during the school holidays, ‘all in all approximately five weeks reading and studying.’
He believed the school’s proud history in Mastermind competitions encouraged children to be part of a winning team, ‘to do as well as in previous years.’
Parents and school librarians, both past and present, supported children’s reading and preparation efforts.