In the age dominated by keyboard skills, instant messaging and electronic communication, the art of beautiful handwriting is often considered superfluous and less and less important. However when teaching young children the difficult skill of learning to write this sentiment is far from true. . At Santa Maria Magdalene primary school in Benitachell the dedicated teachers along with the Teulada Moraira Lions Club, have for the past 10 years recognised the value of penmanship and encouraged the same appreciation in the students through encouragement and reward in the form of its annual handwriting competition .
For the past 10 years the school has proudly entered all of its pupils into the annual handwriting competition. There are 14 classes aged from 5- 11 years . The winner in each class receives a €30 voucher and certificate, and the runner up in each class receives a highly commended certificate. During a special ceremony on the last day of the Christmas term, the Lions president and the head teacher give out the prizes for the best handwriting watched on by proud parents. This year the judges wish to emphasise the excellent progress made by the younger children and that of the older children making that difficult transition from printing to flowing joined up writing . The handwriting competition is a long established tradition with the Teulada Moraira Lions , named after one of its founder members of the club Claude Kelly.
As a new school year begins, the children of Santa Maria Magdalene Primary School, will strive to, under the expert guidance of their teachers , endeavour to refine and progress their handwriting skills. Script is not dead, but alive and thriving in Benitachell!