Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown—Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault)—A year 3 student at New Lambton Public School in the Charlestown electorate has emerged as one of the thirty best spellers in New South Wales. Wafiq Ayyash, who moved to Newcastle from Bangladesh three years ago, won his junior heat after eleven rounds. His winning word? "Treachery". What makes it even more impressive is that 200,000 young spellers from across the state took part in the event. Spelling is such an important foundational skill for good literacy, but the English language doesn't make it at times—as I'm sure many of us have experienced! This makes Wafiq's achievement all the more outstanding. Congratulations to Wafiq and his teachers. This is the second year in a row a first-time competitor from Newcastle has gotten through to the finals. The finals will take place in Penrith later this month, and I wish New Lambton Public's freshly-minted spelling champion all the best.

A Community Recognition Notice is an opportunity for an MP to submit a short statement praising the work of an individual or group in the local community. If you have any ideas about people I can recognise with a Community Recognition Notice, please email and let me know!