A total of 47 pupils took part from 12 primary schools in Lewis and Harris; and right, overall winner Daniel Macleod from Back School.
An award ceremony was held at e-Sgoil recently at which certificates and prizes were handed out to the pupils who took part in this year’s Dìleab an t-Siorraidh. Youngsters had been asked to prepare a short presentation of about five minutes, before conversing with the two judges, Donald Martin and Maletta MacPhail, for another five minutes. As expected, pupils spoke on a wide range of topics and the judges’ job was not easy. Daniel Macleod, from Back School, was eventually declared overall winner with his lively and engaging conversation about his cats. The judges said: ‘The dialogue was simply enjoyable and as natural as can be. We enjoyed how comfortable Daniel was [conversing] with us.’ Unlike similar competitions, this project made use of e-Sgoil’s technology, allowing the pupils to converse with the judges through a screen from their own schools. Daniel was awarded 58 out of a possible 60 points, a remarkable achievement, with Leanne Davis from Stornoway Primary close behind, and Seumas Smith (Stornoway Primary) and Angus Campbell (Leverhulme School) inffjoint third place. Each participating pupil was awarded £10 and there were larger sums, up to £50, for the best.