After being elected to Chair and following our first 2024 Committee Meeting, I had the pleasure of representing SBL at The Suffolk Schools Mastermind finals.
We have sponsored this very worthy competition since 1997, when Ann Parry was Chair. Then as now, it was agreed that the aims of the competition, which is seen as a vehicle for promoting reading across Suffolk, entirely matched our own commitment to encourage reading and to promote books.
Some 300 pupils from years 7, 8 and 9 (that’s 11–14-year-olds to those of us unfamiliar with current school structures) competed in 9 schools across Suffolk: Chantry, Farlingaye, Pakefield, Claydon, Debenham, Ipswich High School, Ipswich School, Sir John Leman and Thomas Mills High Schools. The competition commences in the school and the winners from each compete for the trophy and book vouchers in the final round.
I was excited to join them at the Riverside Centre in Stratford St Mary on 3 May 2024. Following a very sincere welcome I was quickly dispatched to serve tea or coffee to all the adult supporters. This was a great opportunity to get to meet teachers, librarians and the Adjudicator, Sarah, and Craig, the Question poser, and to spread the word about SBL.
The atmosphere amongst the participants and their friends was noisy enthusiasm mixed with some tension. But soon Beth introduced everyone and Craig began with the first contestant. Initially, they answered timed questions on their chosen book and then in the second round they answered 10 general knowledge questions in their own time.
All went well until to her utter bewilderment Eliza from Farlingaye, was unable to understand and therefore had to pass the first 3 questions, it quickly transpired that she had been asked a set from a different book. Her round was halted and Craig moved on to the other participants. In the meantime, the organisers resorted to AI to pose a new set of questions. This was one of my first experiences of this tool, which clearly was capable of producing meaningful and relevant questions, in a much shorter time frame than the ‘humans’ present could have put together. Eventually Eliza was able to compete in both the specialist and general knowledge rounds.
When presenting the prizes I told the children how I hoped that the pleasure of reading would remain with them. I thought they were exceptional role models and reaffirmed how reading could boost their academic success and enhance their skills including problem solving, writing and concentration. I thought that all contestants had made their schools and parents proud and thanked everyone for their organisation and hospitality.
The first prize went to Florence from Debenham High School. I presented her with a £50 voucher from Dial Lane Books and expressed my admiration for her ‘quick fire’ answers, deep understanding and solid knowledge.
The £25 voucher was awarded to Noah from Pakefield High for his sound foundation of general knowledge and third prize of £15 was awarded to Lucy from Ipswich High School, who was an extremely good all rounder.
Halesworth Bookshop was on hand with copies of the books chosen in the finals and others available for the children to buy and they kindly distributed our SBL bookmarks. A Mad Hatter’s tea party followed the award presentation and Lisa Wakely led an author and writing workshop to complete the day.
Sue Blything-Smith
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