Sound pupils are European quiz champions

The quiz about Europe held in primary schools throughout Scotland has seen a Lerwick school go into the national final round.

A team from Sound Primary School won the Shetland heat of Euroquiz 2015, eventually defeating Dunrossness Primary School pupils after a tough struggle.

During the day, P6 pupils from five Shetland primary schools (including also Cunningsburgh, Sandwick and Skeld) attended the competition in Islesburgh and were asked questions on geography, the European Union, sport, culture and languages. Overall, the standard of answers was excellent, according to SIC and Aberdeen City Council global citizenship officer Lewie Peterson.

He said the competition was open to all schools that wanted to participate, and there were a lot of resources online for the event, which comprised “really difficult” questions.

Mr Peterson said: “The point of the competition is to make students more aware of Europe and aware of the EU.

It’s important that pupils learn more of the role of the EU, it’s more and more in the news.” But, he added, fewer and fewer people understand it.

Preparing for the quiz had taken a lot of learning and a lot of revision, he said, and added: “The quiz had questions on subjects like lakes, capitals, landmarks, national dress, flags, cultural events and specific legislation.

“[One question asked] ‘Who is the head of the European Council?’ This would have been tough for a lot of adults. All the teams did really well.”

In the end, he said, only a “handful” of points separated all the Shetland teams and no-one was sure who was going to win. Mr Peterson said: “It was a credit to the pupils and staff who prepared them.”

Sound Primary School will now take their place in the national final in May at the Scottish Parliament.

Last year Tingwall Primary School got through to the final, and were placed in the national top 10 primary schools.

Mr Peterson said the final is always a “big event”, which last year was streamed live from the parliament.