NSW Premier's Spelling Bee state finals to feature 68 top students

The NSW Premier's Spelling Bee state finals will be held at the Q Theatre in Penrith on Friday, November 6. The competition features 68 finalists, representing the top 0.03 per cent of approximately 210,000 students who participated across more than 1,000 public schools this year.

Several students are making notable appearances. Ewan Mattick from the 12-student Hargraves Public School is competing in his third consecutive state final. Similarly, Wafiq Ayyash, a former junior champion from New Lambton South Public School, and Alesha Kahfandi from Jesmond Public School are both returning for their third appearances.

Regional NSW students are well represented, accounting for half of the finalists. Other notable competitors include Layla Clayton from Bungwahl Public School, who is the only returning competitor in the junior division, and various students from the Hunter and Central West regions.