As part of the English Week celebrations, Colegio Concepción hosted the 3rd Interschool Spelling Bee Competition, an academic event that brought together students, teachers, judges, and invited schools around the learning and use of English. The activity took place on Wednesday, August 19th creating a meaningful space for students to demonstrate their preparation, confidence, and communication skills in a fully English-speaking environment.
The competition was organised by the English Department and the English Immersion Program of Colegio Concepción, led by Mr. Cristopher Cano Mella, Head of the Languages Department, and Mr. Marcos Riveros Illanes, English Immersion Coordinator. Together, both areas promoted this event as part of a shared commitment to strengthening English learning through experiences that go beyond the classroom.
This year, the competition welcomed 14 participating schools: Colegio Talcahuano, Pacific School, Colegio Concepción Hualqui, Colegio Inmaculada Concepción, Colegio María Inmaculada, British Royal School, Kingston College, Colegio Einstein Coronel, Colegio Santa Bernardita, Colegio Concepción Chiguayante, CEAT San Pedro de la Paz, Colegio Concepción Fraternidad, Colegio Los Sagrados Corazones, and Colegio Concepción. Each school participated with a team of three students from 2nd and 3rd year of high school.
During the competition, students had to demonstrate their knowledge of English vocabulary, spelling, pronunciation, and listening comprehension. Each team received an official preparation list of 600 words before the event, and during the qualifying round, every team spelled six words in total, with each member spelling two words. Participants followed the traditional Spelling Bee format: saying the word, spelling it letter by letter, and saying it again, all within a limited time.
The event also included final rounds and tie-breaking stages, making the competition both demanding and exciting. In the final stage, participants worked with a new list of 100 words and had 15 minutes to become familiar with them before continuing the challenge. These moments highlighted the concentration, perseverance, and confidence required to participate in an academic activity conducted entirely in English.
The judging panel was composed of Miss Blanca Aragón Venegas, Miss Rebeca Riesco Assef, and Miss Paulina Sanzana Vega, who supported the event with professionalism, experience, and care. Their role was essential in evaluating the participants and ensuring that the competition developed in a respectful and academically rigorous environment.
After an exciting day of spelling, effort, and healthy competition, Colegio Santa Bernardita obtained first place, Kingston College received second place, and Colegio Concepción Fraternidad achieved third place. In addition, Colegio Concepción received the Best Speller Award, a special recognition created to highlight the student with the most outstanding individual performance during the competition, reminding us that the best individual speller is not always necessarily part of the winning team.
More than a competition, the 3rd Interschool Spelling Bee was an opportunity to celebrate learning, perseverance, and English as a tool for communication and connection among different educational communities. In the context of English Week, this activity reflected the importance of offering students real opportunities to use the language with confidence, purpose, and enthusiasm.
Colegio Concepción warmly congratulates all the students who participated in this third version of the Interschool Spelling Bee and extends its gratitude to the guiding teachers, judges, participating schools, and everyone who helped make this event possible. We invite our school community to explore the gallery and relive this important moment of English Week.
