June 22, 2009:  Pupils at the Marist Preparatory School have won the top prize of £500 in the annual National Handwriting Competition organised by SATIPS (Society of Assistants Teaching in Preparatory Schools).

All pupils in the school entered the competition from Reception up to Year 6.  Pupils aged 7 and under had to handwrite the poem ‘Little Miss Muffet’ by Roger Stevens and pupils aged 8-11 ‘The Moon’ by Robert Louis Stevenson. All entries were judged anonymously with handwriting being assessed for legibility, flow, consistency, individuality, layout and tidiness.  In addition to the school winning the overall competition, Hannah Harding won first prize in the Age 8 category, Laura Beaumont came third in the Age 8 category, and there was a special mention for Shelby Lee also in the Age 7 category.

The national competition is open to all pupils aged 4-14 so they may showcase their impressive handwriting skills.  Even though computers are now commonly used in schools, homes and businesses, it is just as important to learn good handwriting skills as it ever was as pupils must adapt their skills to suit different situations.  Mrs Tina Francis, Class 2 teacher and an English Co-ordinator at the Marist Preparatory School, collated all pupil entries for the competition.  She said “the girls are taught the essentials of handwriting during their infant years. Once they start their junior education they have already developed a good style of handwriting that will stay with them throughout their school life.”

Mrs Jenny Peachey, Headteacher at the Marist Preparatory School said “good handwriting skills are still essential for all students as it’s important for pupils to be able to write quickly and legibly.  This is particularly important as pupils move through the school towards their final exams.  Good handwriting will enable them to take effective notes and also enable examiners to read their work easily.  Good handwriting skills learned early on will effectively take them through their senior school years and serve them well into their undergraduate degrees and beyond.”