De Putron challenge: St Mary, De La Salle and Victoria College crowned winners

Sunday 19 November 2017

St Mary's Primary School, De la Salle College and Victoria College were the big winners at the 2017 De Putron Challenge in the Year 6, Year 8 and Post-16 categories.

The three winning Jersey teams will be competing against Guernsey's best at the inter-island final at the Grand Hotel on 23 November.

19 primary schools took part in the Year 6 competition with newcomers St Mary’s Primary School emerging victorious after three heats and a four-team final. They earned their place in the final along with fellow competitors Jersey College of Girls, St George’s Prep School and runners-up Helvetia House.

St Mary’s Primary School (pictured) said: “It felt really good to win, our school was really cheering us on and were holding up banners saying ‘go St Marys’. We were really nervous before the challenge but really excited, you don't really know what they are going to throw at you in the quiz so you just try to study everything. We are so excited to compete next week in the inter-island final!”

Pictured: The winning team from De la Salle.

In the Year 8 event, De La Salle College and Victoria College both emerged at the top of the seven-team heat to contest against each other in the final resulting in a six point lead and win for De La Salle College.

Once again this year’s Jersey event featured a Post-16 contest, with Hautlieu, Victoria College, Jersey College for Girls and De La Salle College competing for the Jersey trophy. After the seven  preliminary rounds Hautlieu School and Victoria College teams progressed into the final. It went to a sudden-death tie-break with Victoria College only beating Hautlieu by one point.

Pictured: Victoria College were the winners in the Post 16 category, beating Hautlieu by just one point.

Quizmaster and ITV Channel reporter John Fernandez said: “The final was incredibly tense with two outstanding teams neck and neck. It was a cruel way to finish, but everyone was smiling and shaking hands afterwards so it was all in good sport. All I can say is we are set for a cracking inter-island final and I for one can not wait!”

The three winning Jersey teams will be facing Beechwood in Year 6 and Elizabeth College in Year 8 and Post-16 at the inter-island final at the Grand Hotel in Jersey on 23 November.

Hayley De Putron,  Ana Leaf Foundation, sponsor and trustee, said that it was great to have St Mary’s Primary School competing for the first time.  “It was so exciting for them to win the Year 6 event, they certainly proved it’s cool to be clever. The support we had throughout the day was amazing and our thanks go to everyone who came along either to represent their school or as a supporter. I hope everyone at the challenge went home having learnt some new interesting facts,” she said.

The inter-island final will be live streamed for those unable to attend, links will be posted on the De Putron Challenge’s official social media channels.