Pictured at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, with team manager Conor McQuaid are Year 8 students David McLaughlin, Callum Snow, John Connolly and Paul Conway. The team which called themselves ‘The Killer Bees’ participated in the local final of The Times Spelling Bee, the Uk’s first national spelling competition. The team took part firstly in the ‘Spelling Play-Off’ where competitors were eliminated for an incorrect answer, before undertaking the’ Quick-Fire Challenge’. Despite being put under incredible pressure from the other competitors, the team finished in a very respectable third place- an excellent result for the school’s first outing in the competition. All of the participants agreed that it was an enjoyable and worthwhile experience and hope that this will become an annual event. The event which is sponsored by Microsoft is open to all Year 8 students. This year’s competitors were helped in their preparation by Mrs Gallagher and Miss Cafferkey.