A pupil from Houston Primary School in Renfrewshire is set to raise a laugh on the national stage next week after qualifying for the final of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists’ (RCSLT) VoiceBox joke competition.
The countdown is now on as VoiceBox, a nationwide contest for primary schools, is designed to shine a spotlight on the crucial role communication plays in a child’s development.
Finn Templeton, from primary 4, impressed local judges with a joke that was graded on originality, delivery and its punchline, and has already won £100 worth of Harper Collins books for making it this far.
They were put head-to-head with jokes from across the area, and were crowned best in Renfrewshire – earning them a place in the Grand Final at the Scottish Parliament, where they will compete against 27 other finalists from across the country.
The final will be hosted by Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, with Zara Janjua, a BBC journalist and comedian, compering the event on June 6th, 2024.
Top prizes are on offer from competition sponsor Collins Big Cat, the leading whole-school primary reading programme providing complete support from phonics to fluency.
Finalists are in with the chance of winning £500’s worth of Collins Big Cat books for their school for first place, and £200’s worth of Collins Big Cat books for their school for 2nd and 3rd place. The top three winners will also receive a £100 toy gift card to add to their prizes.
Glenn Carter, a spokesperson for the event, said, “It’s great to see our local winners move on to the final of VoiceBox. This competition isn’t just about making people laugh; it’s about showing how important good speaking skills are for success in school and later in life.
“VoiceBox shows how valuable it is for kids to learn how to communicate well. Helping them now sets them up for a better future.”
Lizzi Jones, Head of Sales and Marketing for Scotland from HarperCollins Publishers, said: “We are delighted to support the development of children’s communication skills through VoiceBox and the message that it is spreading. We believe that this will help improve children’s literacy and comprehension abilities through the enjoyment of telling a joke.”