Afeef Ahmed wins 2026 NSW Premier’s Spelling Bee

Afeef Ahmed has been crowned the 2026 NSW Premier’s Spelling Bee state champion after correctly spelling the word “immemorial” during the finals at Penrith’s Q Theatre. The competition featured 68 finalists from Years 2 to 6, representing the top 0.03 per cent of approximately 210,000 students who participated across more than 1,070 New South Wales public schools this year.

Layla Clayton of Bungwahl Public School, a school with only 32 students, was the sole returning finalist in the junior division, qualifying for the second consecutive year. Other notable participants included Wafiq Ayyash, a former junior state title winner who competed in the senior division, and Oliver Reid, the youngest finalist from Year 2.

The competition, which began in 2004, aims to foster literacy and vocabulary. Premier Chris Minns and Deputy Premier Prue Car noted that the event encourages a love of learning and helps students build confidence through language.