1st APRIL 2014

NURUL NADIAH BINTI MUSTAFA

890311085054
0135036032
[email protected]

Dear NURUL NADIAH BINTI MUSTAFA,

RHB NEW STRAITS TIMES NATIONAL SPELL-IT-RIGHT CHALLENGE 2014

PRELIMINARY STATE CHALLENGE

We are pleased to confirm participation of the following students in the RHB New Straits Times
National Spell-It-Right Challenge 2014.

State : KUALA LUMPUR

Category : PRIMARY
Date : 06/04/2014
Venue : DEWAN 4, UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA, KL
Registration Time : 8.00AM
Examination Time : 9.30AM

Person-in-charge : NURUL NADIAH BINTI MUSTAFA

IC/Passport No. : 890311085054
Tel No :
Mobile No : 0135036032
Relationship : TEACHER

School : SK MARIAN CONVENT,SETAPAK

Ref. No. Participant Name NRIC / BC Number

1. AVANTHITHAH A/P GANESON 020220060194

2. DIVYA MARIA A/P SUREAS KUMAR 021004141154

3. HIROSHA A/P JAYA RAM 020807140468

4. JESSVEEN KAUR A/P BALJEET SINGH 030315140946

5. KEERTHIKA A/P SUBRAMANIAM 040618140926

6. LO HUI XUAN 030303140260

 7. NANTHASHA DEVI A/P JAMES 030427140836

8. PRAVEENA A/P CHANDRASEKARAN 020309140238

9. SAHANA A/P DURAI SINGAM 040708140778

10. SHAVITA A/P KANAGARATNAM 040420101462

11. SHUUBASHINY NAIR A/P BATHUMALAI 040323141016

Important note:

1. In the event the Person-in-charge, as stated above in unable to attend the event, he/she is
required to find a replacement to accompany the participant on the event date. The Person-
in-charge must issue an authorisation letter to his/her replacement. The organisers shall
have the right to disqualify the participant from the Challenge should his/her replacement
fails to provide the authorisation letter.

2. The Person-in-charge shall be fully responsible for his/her replacement’s actions. The
organisers shall not be responsible and shall be indemnified and be held harmless against all
actions, suits, claims, liabilities, losses, expenses and/or damages with respect to any claims
arising out of any death, or personal injury, loss or damage.

3. For registration on the day of the event, please bring this confirmation letter and a copy of
the participant’s identity card or birth certificate for verification purposes.

4. Attached are the Challenge Procedures and Rules & Regulations for your reference. Kindly
adhere to these procedures throughout the competition.

Should you require any further assistance/information, please call the SIR Registration Secretariat at
03 – 2056 9942 or email [email protected] (Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm).
We thank you for your support and wish the participants all the best in the challenge!

Best regards,

PUTRI SHIREEN SYED OTHMAN

Chairman, Organising Committee

RHB New Straits Times National Spell-It-Right Challenge 2014

Terms and Conditions

1. This challenge is open to Malaysian citizens from Year 1 – Year 6 (Category 1 – Primary Level)
and Form 1 – Form 5 (Category 2 – Secondary Level) who are enrolled in national, national–
type and private schools using the Malaysian national education system.

2. Participation is open to individuals and schools. Any one (1) school may only have a
maximum of twenty (20) participants which shall include individual participants, if any.
Registration of participants is on a first-come, first-served basis.

3. Each participant is only allowed to participate in the state that he/she is schooling in.

4. Only five hundred (500) participants from each state will be accepted to sit for the
Preliminary Written Spelling Test. The top 100 will be identified by the organiser for the State
Challenge.

5. Each participant must fully complete the original entry form published in the New Straits
Times. Incomplete and illegible forms will not be entertained. Photocopied forms will not be
accepted.

6. Each participant must be accompanied by an adult (18 years and above) who is required to
stay with the participant until the end of the challenge duration.

7. In the event that the Nominated person in Clause 6 above is unable to attend the Written
Spelling Test, he/she is required to find a replacement to accompany the participant(s) on
the event date. The nominated person shall issue an authorisation letter to his/her
replacement. The organisers shall have the right to disqualify the participants from the
challenge should his/her replacement fail to produce the authorisation letter.

8. In reference to Clause 6 and 7 above. The nominated person shall be fully responsible for
his/her replacement’s actions. The organisers shall not be responsible and shall be
indemnified and be held harmless against all actions, suits, claims, liabilities, losses, expenses
and/or damages with respect to any claims arising out of any death, or personal injury, loss
or damage.

9. By submitting the entry form, it is deemed that the participants’ parents and/or guardians
have given their consent to the participant to take part in the challenge and empowered the
accompanying person to make any decisions necessary on behalf of the participant.

10. The entry form must be faxed to SIR Registration Secretariat, The New Straits Times Press
(M) Bhd at 03-2056 7178 no later than the deadlines stated on the entry form. Entries will
not be accepted after the deadline.

11. Proof of fax delivery is not proof of receipt of entry forms. All participants must register in
advance. Successful registrations will be notified via phone or email, which will include a
confirmation letter.
12. The organisers reserve the right to reject any entry without giving any reasons whatsoever.

13. On the day of the challenge, the participant’s accompanying person MUST bring along the
participant’s original entry form, confirmation letter from the New Straits Times, and
certified true copy of the participant’s Identity Card and/or Birth Certificate.

14. All participants must be in full school uniform for State and National Challenges.

15. No aids will be allowed in the hall, on stage or on participants. For example, no pens, paper,
MP3 players or mobile phones will be allowed on stage. A breach of this rule will be grounds
for disqualification.

16. No discussion or prompting will be allowed between participants or from anyone in the hall
or on stage. A breach of this rule will be grounds for disqualification.

17. No prompting by the audience (in any form). If there are violations, the word will be
withdrawn and a new word given.

18. The time allocated to spell a word is twenty (20) seconds. For both state and national
challenges, the participant will be disqualified if a participant fails to complete spelling the
word in the given timeframe.

19. In the case of a dispute (for example, mispronunciation, uncertainty of word use, time or
distractions) the decision will be final after consultation with the Members of the Organising
Panel at each venue. Should there be a dispute on the words before the final announcement
and close of a challenge, the organisers are well within their rights to recall final participants
for a re-match to ascertain the true winner/champion. The Presenter will have absolute
discretion over the conduct of proceedings. No appeals and objections for any reason
whatsoever will be entertained.

21. Accommodation will be provided for participants and accompanying person from Peninsular
States attending the National Challenge in Kuala Lumpur. Participants from Sabah and
Sarawak will be provided accommodation and transportation.

22. All finalists MUST use the centralised accommodation and transportation provided by the
organisers.

23. The organisers may at their discretion refuse any entry and cancel or postpone the event
without due notice in the event of unforeseen circumstances. No claims of any kind arising
from the abandonment, cancellation and/or postponement of the event shall be entertained.

24. The organisers and/or its sponsors including but not limited to NSTP will not be held
responsible for any mishap, injury, damage and/or loss suffered by any participant and/or to
the persons accompanying the participant. Every participant and/or parents/guardians/
accompanying persons agrees to indemnify and hold harmless NSTP against all actions, suits,
claims, liabilities, losses, expenses and/or damages with respect to any claims arising out of
any death, or personal injury, loss or damage to property or goods under this Agreement
arising out of the wilful misconduct or negligence of the participants or any breach or non-
observance by the participants of any of its obligations under this Agreement.
25. In respect of any identifiable personal data (hereinafter referred to as, “the Personal Data”)
that he/she may provide to the organisers and/or its sponsors for this challenge, he/she as
parent/guardian hereby acknowledge that he/she has read the New Straits Times and RHB’s
Personal Data Protection Notices which can be viewed at www.mediaprima.com.my/pdpa
and http://www.rhb.com.my/corporate_profile/about_us/social/main.html respectively
(“Notices”) and by signing the entry form, he/she consents to the processing of any Personal
Data provided to the organisers and/or its sponsors in accordance with the terms contained
in the Notices.

26. The organisers including but not limited to NSTP reserves the right to publish and display the
winners’ names, addresses and NRIC/Birth Cert No., their photographs and audio and/or
visual recording for advertising and publicity purposes without compensation and prior
notification to the winners.

27. The organisers including but not limited to NSTP shall reserve the right at its absolute
discretion to substitute any of the prizes with that of similar value at any time without prior
notice. All prizes are non-transferable.

28. The organisers including but not limited to NSTP reserve the right at any time without
assigning any reasons to add, alter, modify, change or vary the challenge procedures and
terms and conditions, wholly or in part, at its absolute discretion.

29. By participating in this challenge, participants, parents/guardians and accompanying persons

are deemed to have read, understood and agreed to be bound by the Challenge Procedures
and Terms and Conditions and decisions made by NSTP, its parent company, its Subsidiaries,
its employees and/or its agents.

30. If there is any doubt of the interpretation of the terms and conditions, the decision of the
Challenge Committee shall be final and conclusive.

31. For detailed challenge procedures, please log on to www.nst.com.my/SIR. For enquiries,
please call the SIR Registration Secretariat at 03-2056 9942 (Mon-Fri, 10am – 5pm)

Challenge Procedures and Rules & Regulations

A. Policy Statement
The RHB New Straits Times National Spell-It-Right Challenge is a spelling competition for students in
primary and secondary schools.

The challenge seeks to discover individuals at primary and secondary school levels who possess an
outstanding command of English vocabulary.

The RHB New Straits Times National Spell-It-Right Challenge also includes a qualifying round through
a Preliminary Written Spelling Test. The top 100 will then compete in the State Challenge which will
lead to the National Challenge.

As spelling is delivered through speech, the letters of the alphabet are to be clearly written (for
Preliminary Written Test) and enunciated (for State Challenge) to avoid disqualification or
elimination.

The reference texts for the challenge shall be the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 7 th Edition,
Collins Cobuild Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary New Edition, Cambridge Advanced Learner’s
Dictionary Third Edition, Merriam-Webster Online and Dictionary.com.

B. Word List

1. The vast part of the word list can be found in the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 7 th
Edition, Collins Cobuild Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary New Edition, Cambridge
Advanced Learner’s Dictionary Third Edition, Merriam-Webster Online and Dictionary.com
for both primary and secondary challenges.
2. Some of the words may also be chosen from the New Straits Times publications. These may
include technical terms and jargon that represent a particular industry or trade.
3. In the challenge, no hyphenated words or phrases will be used. No prepositions or
conjunctions will be used. The word list will consist of noun, verb, adjectival and adverbial
forms.
4. Each round will use words of greater difficulty. The gradation of difficulty will vary.
5. Any word that the content committee deems will raise the bar for the participants will be
included. No requests to simplify or modify word lists will be entertained.
6. There will be different word lists for the Preliminary Written Test and, State and National
Challenges.
7. The word lists, once compiled, will be handed over to the auditors and will only be released
to Presenters on the day of the challenge.
8. The word presentations will appear during the challenge in the following format:
Word : nonsensical
Definition : ideas, actions, or statements that are nonsensical
are not reasonable or sensible.
Sentence : This is a nonsensical argument.
9. At the end of the State Challenge at each venue, the word list with all the notations made by
Presenters and Judges will be returned to the Auditor for safekeeping and evaluation.

C. Challenge Protocols
Challenge Administrators
i. For Preliminary State Challenge (Written Spelling Test)

1. The following people will be on the panel, i.e.: the Emcee, the Timekeeper and the
Auditor.
2. An additional three (3) exam hall marshalswill manage the participants during the
written test to make sure that each has a complete set of stationery before it begins and
all the answer sheets are collected at the end of the session.
3. Each participant should have the Written Spelling Test Answer Sheet, a pencil and eraser.
4. At the start of the Written Test, the Emceewill introduce the panel and other
administrators.
5. The Emceewill lay down the rules and do a brief on how the challenge process will work.
6. The test will begin when the Emcee says: Play the recording of the words now.
7. The recording will start with the first word to be spelt, read its definition and then use it
in a sentence before saying the word again.
8. The participant will then have twenty (20) seconds to write the word on the answer
sheet. Then, the next word will be presented in the same order.
9. Once all the thirty (30) words are presented, the recording will repeat all the words again
without the definitions and sentences.
10. The answer sheets are then collected for marking purposes.
11. The top 100 spellers qualified to compete in the State Challenge will be identified by the
organisers at a later date, and will be notified via phone and email. They will also receive
a confirmation letter to participate in the State Challenge.

ii. For State and National Challenges

1. At any one time, the following people will be on the panel, i.e.: a Judge, the Presenter,
the Timekeeper, the Scorekeeper and the Auditor.
2. An additional two (2) administrators will manage the aisles and assist participants to
come forward for their turn to spell and return them to their seats, and escort
participants who are eliminated.
3. The Presenter will be the final authority after consultation with the judge and auditor on
the spelling submitted by a participant.
4. At the start of the challenge, the Presenter will lay down the rules for the audience and
do a quick brief on how the challenge process will work.
5. The Presenter will introduce the panel and other administrators.
6. The challenge will begin when the auditor hands over the sealed word list to the
Presenter.
7. The Presenter will share the word list to be used with the judge and the auditor.
8. The Presenter will first pronounce the word to be spelt, then define the word and then
use it in a sentence. The Presenter then invites the participant to spell the word.
9. The participant will then have twenty (20) seconds to spell the word. The buzzer will ring
after twenty (20) seconds.
10. The scorekeeper will note all the words a participant spells correctly and allocate one (1)
point for each correctly spelled word. At the end of the day, the scorekeeper will tally the
points scored by every participant.
Participants

1. Participants must register before the closing date. All participants will be given a
confirmation letter from the organisers prior to the challenge day.
2. Each school is allowed a maximum of twenty (20) participants (including individual
participants) in the State Challenge. All participants must be Malaysian citizens.
3. For the Preliminary Written Test, all participants will sit for the test at the same time.
4. The test will have a total of 30 words divided into 3 levels of difficulty. Participants will have
to spell all the words presented through an audio recording.
5. Participants are not allowed to ask for any word and sentences to be repeated. At the end of
Round 3, the recording will repeat all the words again for the participants to check their
answers. No other prompts will be given.
6. For the State Challenge Preliminary Rounds, a maximum of ten (10) participants will be called
up on the stage at any one time. These ten (10) participants will form a group and will be
seated on stage.
7. The preliminary round will have three (3) rounds. Participants who get their spelling correct
will advance from Round 1 to Round 2 and then to Round 3. In the event of a tie, a tiebreaker
round will be held to determine the winner.
8. How it works: The Presenter will call the first participant by name. The participant will walk
to the microphone. The Presenter gives the participant his or her first word to spell. The
participant has twenty (20) seconds to pronounce the word, spell the word and pronounce it
again. The second pronunciation of the word is deemed as final submission of that word and
its spelling.
9. If the participant gets the spelling correct, he or she will be asked to return to his or her seat
and enter the next round.
10. If the participant misspells a word or does not complete the spelling of the word when the
time is up, he or she is immediately eliminated from the challenge. No chances will be given
for respelling a word.
11. If the participant misspells a word, he or she must remain at the microphone until the
Presenter provides the correct spelling of the word.
12. If the participant starts spelling and stops midway, he or she can restart spelling the word
from the first letter, provided (a) the final submission (see number 5) has not taken place and
provided (b) that the second attempt is completed within the twenty (20) seconds.
13. After the first participant has finished his/her turn, the Presenter will call the next
participant.
14. The winners of the State Challenge Preliminary Rounds will proceed to the State Challenge
Final Round on the same day. At the State Challenge Final Round, each participant will be
asked to spell three (3) words based on the ‘round robin’ system. At this stage rules 8-9and
11-13 will apply.
15. The state winners (1 individual each from the Primary and the Secondary categories) will
participate along with thirteen (13) others in the respective categories at the National
Challenge in Kuala Lumpur.
16. There will be no staggering of times for the participants. All participants are expected to
report by 9am for registration and to attend the briefing by the Presenter before the start of
the challenge.
17. All participants MUST be in their full school uniforms.
18. All participants and accompanying persons are required to stay until the end of the challenge
duration in the event of a tie between participants and to participate in the prize-giving
ceremony.
 19. The National Challenge will see fourteen (14) participants in their respective categories
pitting their skills against each other.
20. The participants in the National Challenge will be required to spell five (5) words each based
on the ‘round robin’ system to determine the five (5) best spellers. In the event of a tie, a
tie-breaker round shall be held using the ‘sudden death’ system.
21. The five (5) best spellers will enter the final round. Participants will be required to spell seven
(7) words each based on the ‘round robin’ system to determine the five (5) best speller.
22. The five (5) clear winners shall be established at this point. In the event of a tie for any one of
the top five (5) positions, a tie-breaker round shall be held using the ‘sudden death’ system.

D. Rules and Regulations

1. The participant (for Preliminary Written Test and, State and National Challenges) will
begin on time. Punctuality is to be observed. There should be no disruptions when the
challenge starts.
2. Only participants who registered are allowed to take part. There can be no walk in or
substitution. All participants must appear at the appointed time. No requests for
rescheduling will be entertained.
3. The challenge administrators will try to accommodate participants who have special
needs. All such requests should be made in writing to the challenge administrators well
in advance of the challenge.
4. Any complaint from the audience/teachers/parents/guardians on any matter pertaining
to the proceedings must be presented in writing to the organiser. The complainant must
supply his/her full name, address and contact details.

For Written Test

1. All participants will be seated in a hall at the same time to sit for the test.
2. No student has access to a mobile phone, iPad, table or any other possible spelling aid. Food
and drinks are not allowed in the hall.
3. The Organiser will provide the stationery for the written test.
4. Parents/guardians/teachers/audiencesare not allowed to be in the hall.
5. Participants must not communicate with each other, distract or help each other during the
test.
6. The allocated twenty (20) seconds to write the word will start after the recording says: Spell
the word now.
7. The participant will write the word in CAPITAL LETTERS on the answer sheet.
8. The participant cannot request to repeat the recording of the words.
9. In the case of a dispute (for example, mispronunciation, sound quality of the recording,
uncertainty of word use, time or distractions), the members of the panel will have absolute
discretion over the conduct of proceedings.
10. It is important that the participant to see that every letter spelt is clearly written so there is
no mistaking the spelling of the word. Letters not clearly written will be declared as incorrect
spelling.

For State & National Challenges

Participants are required to face the Presenter and Judge when pronouncing and spelling the word.
No aids will be allowed on stage or on participants. For example, no pens, paper, MP3 players or
mobile phones will be allowed on stage. A breach of this rule will be grounds for disqualification.
1. No discussion or prompting between participants or from anyone on stage. A breach of this
rule will be grounds for disqualification.
2. No prompting by the audience (in any form). If there are any violations, the word will be
withdrawn and a new word given.
3. The audience may not clap until the Presenter declares the word CORRECT or INCORRECT.
4. The allocated twenty (20) seconds for spelling will start after the Presenter says: Your time
starts now.
5. The participant will first pronounce the word, then spell the word and then pronounce it
again to indicate that he or she is submitting the word for judgment.
6. The participant can ask the Presenter to repeat the word BUT the timer will NOT be stopped
to accommodate the request. He or she must complete spelling the word within the twenty
(20) seconds allocated.
7. If a participant starts spelling a word and stops midway to try and spell it again, he or she
must go back to the first letter of the word to spell again. The participant cannot continue
from the letter he or she left off.
8. If the participant exceeds the twenty (20) seconds timeframe given for spelling the word,
points will NOT be awarded even if they are correct.
9. Every word spelt correctly will be awarded one (1) point.
10. In the case of a dispute (for example, mispronunciation, uncertainty of word use, time or
distractions), the decision of the Presenter will be final after consultation with the Judge. The
Presenter will have absolute discretion over the conduct of proceedings.
11. It is incumbent on the part of the participant to see that every letter spelt is clearly
enunciated so there is no mistaking the spelling of the word. Letters not clearly spoken even
if the participant knows the spelling WILL NOT be accepted and will form grounds for
elimination.

E. Brief to teachers, parents and guardians

This Challenge is a SPELLING competition. Participants are judged on their spelling of a word.
However, spelling is delivered through speech. You are encouraged to coach participants to
enunciate each letter clearly. Letters not clearly written or spoken even if the participant knows
the spelling WILL NOT be accepted and will form grounds for elimination.

You are encouraged to conduct mock challenges in schools or at home so that participants
acquire a familiarity with the competition. Use your discretion to select words of varying
difficulty and words that are interesting, complex in structure and in meaning, familiar and alien.

Please ensure that your nominated candidate has no other activities or commitments on the
challenge day. Punctuality is crucial. There will be no rescheduling and no changes to the line-up.