Latest news with #VoiceBox
Daily Record
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Ayrshire pupils among funniest in Scotland at national joke telling competition
Ayrshire's school pupils proved to be the funniest in Scotland after Saffron Barrett, Freya McVie Branley and Craig Speirs competed in the VoiceBox competition. Three Ayrshire pupils were among the funniest in Scotland at a national joke telling competition with two of them winning prizes. Saffron Barrett of Glenburn Primary in Prestwick, Freya McVie Branley of St Winning's Primary in Kilwinning and Craig Speirs of Shortlees Primary in Kilmarnock represented the county at the the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists' (RCSLT) VoiceBox competition. P1 Saffron, P7 Freya and P5 Craig travelled to Edinburgh for the competition which was held at the Scottish Parliament on June 5. With jokes that had the judges in stitches, Freya was named as runner-up, Craig in third place and Saffron unlucky to miss out on the top three. Freya takes home a £75 toy gift card, as well as £200 worth of books for her school while Craig bagged a £50 toy gift card, as well as £200 worth of books for his school, courtesy of competition sponsors, Collins Big Cat. As a finalist, Saffron also won £100 worth of books for her school. Ezra Pasifull, Primary Three, from Oakbank Primary School in Perth and Kinross, was crowned as the winner of the VoiceBox competition. The final featured 32 pupils from across Scotland, with a regional winner representing each local authority. Every finalist performed their joke live before an audience of MSPs, families, and supporters. The final followed a nationwide call for entries that saw thousands of jokes submitted by pupils from hundreds of primary schools. VoiceBox was created by the RCSLT to spotlight the importance of early speech, language and communication development and the power of speech and language therapy. While rooted in fun, the competition's purpose is to raise awareness of the vital role communication plays in a child's confidence, learning and life outcomes. Glenn Carter, head of RCSLT Scotland, said: 'While the event is full of joy and laughter, its purpose is serious. Speech, language and communication are essential skills that underpin a child's learning, relationships, and long-term opportunities. 'VoiceBox shines a light on this by showing just what children can achieve when they're supported to express themselves.' The final was hosted by the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Alison Johnstone MSP, and compered by BBC journalist and comedian Zara Janjua. Commenting, Ms Johnstone said: 'It was a pleasure to welcome so many young people from across Scotland to their Parliament. 'Following a strong nationwide competition, I want to congratulate all our finalists. The effort, imagination and thought that went into their contributions was extremely impressive. 'I'm pleased that once again the Parliament was able to support such a worthwhile competition.'
Daily Record
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
West Lothian schoolboy joins big bunch of jokers at the Scottish Parliament
P3 pupil John McGlynn from Livingston left MSPs in fits of laughter A Livingston schoolboy was one of 32 pupils from across the country who left MSPs chortling after cracking jokes at the Scottish Parliament. John McGlynn, a P3 pupil at St John Ogilvie RC Primary School, left them in fits of laughter as he represented West Lothian at the VoiceBox grand final. The national joke-telling competition is organised by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), with a regional winner representing each local authority in the final. Every finalist performed their joke live before an audience of MSPs, families, and supporters. The final followed a nationwide call for entries that saw thousands of jokes submitted by pupils from hundreds of primary schools. Ezra Pasifull, who's in P3 at Oakbank Primary School in Perth, was crowned Scotland's funniest young comedian after leaving MSPs in stitches. The winning joke, delivered with confidence and impeccable timing, was: 'I bought 10 bees but the beekeeper gave me 11 bees. I asked him why there is an extra bee and he said, because that one's a 'Free Bee!' The final was hosted by the Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, and compered by BBC journalist and comedian Zara Janjua, who returned for her second year with the competition. Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament said: 'It was a pleasure to welcome so many young people from across Scotland to their Parliament. Following a strong nation-wide competition, I want to congratulate all our finalists. The effort, imagination and thought that went into their contributions was extremely impressive. I'm pleased that once again the Parliament was able to support such a worthwhile competition.' VoiceBox was created by the RCSLT to spotlight the importance of early speech, language and communication development and the power of speech and language therapy. While rooted in fun, the competition's purpose is to raise awareness of the vital role communication plays in a child's confidence, learning, and life outcomes. Glenn Carter, Head of RCSLT Scotland, said: 'While the event is full of joy and laughter, its purpose is serious. Speech, language and communication are essential skills that underpin a child's learning, relationships, and long-term opportunities. VoiceBox shines a light on this by showing just what children can achieve when they're supported to express themselves.' The 2025 final marks the second year VoiceBox has been held at the Scottish Parliament, following its January launch on Blue Monday, a date chosen to brighten the calendar and kick-off joke competitions in classrooms nationwide. Each of the 32 finalists received £100 worth of books from sponsors Collins Big Cat, the UK's leading whole-school primary reading programme. The overall winner's school received £500 worth of Collins Big Cat books, while the runner-up, Freya McVie Branley from St Winning's Primary School, Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, and third-place winner, Craig Speirs from Shortlees Primary, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, were awarded £200 worth of books for their schools. In addition, the top three finalists received toy gift cards – £100 for the winner, £75 for second place, and £50 for third place.
Glasgow Times
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow pupil makes final of Scottish national joke contest
Hedi Hemin, a primary four pupil from Knightswood Primary, was among the finalists at the VoiceBox grand final, organised by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). The event saw 32 pupils from across Scotland take to the stage, each representing their local authority with a joke performed in front of MSPs, families, and supporters. Hedi Hemin (Image: Supplied) Thousands of jokes were submitted from hundreds of primary schools across the country. Glenn Carter, head of RCSLT Scotland, said: "While the event is full of joy and laughter, its purpose is serious. Read more: Scots are being offered physical 'rain cheques' to help keep their spirits up Nine men charged over mobbing and rioting before Partick Thistle game in Ayr Spider-Man 4 filming to take over Glasgow city centre this summer "Speech, language, and communication are essential skills that underpin a child's learning, relationships, and long-term opportunities. "VoiceBox shines a light on this by showing just what children can achieve when they're supported to express themselves." The competition aims to highlight the importance of early speech, language, and communication development, as well as the value of speech and language therapy. Ezra Pasifull, a Primary Three pupil from Oakbank Primary in Perth and Kinross, was crowned Scotland's funniest young comedian. His winning joke was: "I bought 10 bees but the beekeeper gave me 11 bees. "I asked him why there is an extra bee and he said, because that one's a 'Free Bee!" The final was hosted by Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, and compered by BBC journalist and comedian Zara Janjua. Johnstone MSP said: "It was a pleasure to welcome so many young people from across Scotland to their Parliament. "Following a strong nationwide competition, I want to congratulate all our finalists. "The effort, imagination, and thought that went into their contributions was extremely impressive. "I'm pleased that once again the Parliament was able to support such a worthwhile competition.' The competition was held at the Scottish Parliament for the second year, following its launch on Blue Monday in January. Each of the 32 finalists received £100 worth of books from sponsors Collins Big Cat, with the winning school bagging £500 worth of books. The runner-up, Freya McVie Branley from St Winning's Primary School, and third-place winner, Craig Speirs from Shortlees Primary School, were awarded £200 worth of books for their schools. They also received toy gift cards, with the winner getting £100, second place £75, and third £50.
Daily Record
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Stirling pupil Ru gives MSPs at Holyrood a welcome laugh
The Allan's Primary youngster was one of just 32 finalists from thousands who entered the national joke telling competition, with the final being held at the Scottish Parliament. A P1 pupil from Allan's Primary School in Stirling had MSPs in fits of laughter recently at the VoiceBox grand final – a national joke-telling competition. Ru McCallum had taken part in the contest, organised by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). The final, which took place at Holyrood, featured 32 pupils from across Scotland, with a regional winner representing each local authority. Every finalist performed their joke live before an audience of MSPs, families, and supporters. The final followed a nationwide call for entries that saw thousands of jokes submitted by pupils from hundreds of primary schools. Ru's joke, which earned a place in the final, was: 'Why did the banana go to the doctor? Because he wasn't peeling very well!' VoiceBox was created by the RCSLT to spotlight the importance of early speech, language and communication development and the power of speech and language therapy. While rooted in fun, the competition's purpose is to raise awareness of the vital role communication plays in a child's confidence, learning, and life outcomes. Ezra Pasifull, of P3 at Oakbank Primary School in Perth and Kinross, was crowned Scotland's funniest young comedian after leaving MSPs in stitches. The winning joke, delivered 'with confidence and impeccable timing', was: 'I bought 10 bees but the beekeeper gave me 11 bees. I asked him why there is an extra bee and he said, because that one's a 'Free Bee!'.' Glenn Carter, Head of RCSLT Scotland, said: 'While the event is full of joy and laughter, its purpose is serious. Speech, language and communication are essential skills that underpin a child's learning, relationships, and long-term opportunities. VoiceBox shines a light on this by showing just what children can achieve when they're supported to express themselves.' The final was hosted by the Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, and compered by BBC journalist and comedian Zara Janjua, who returned for her second year with the competition. Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said: 'It was a pleasure to welcome so many young people from across Scotland to their Parliament. Following a strong nation-wide competition, I want to congratulate all our finalists. The effort, imagination and thought that went into their contributions was extremely impressive. I'm pleased that once again the Parliament was able to support such a worthwhile competition.' The 2025 final marks the second year VoiceBox has been held at the Scottish Parliament, following its January launch on Blue Monday, a date chosen to brighten the calendar and kick-off joke competitions in classrooms nationwide. Each of the 32 finalists received £100 worth of books from sponsors Collins Big Cat, the UK's leading whole-school primary reading programme. The overall winner's school received £500 worth of Collins Big Cat books, while the runner-up, Freya McVie Branley from St Winning's Primary School in North Ayrshire, and third-place winner, Craig Speirs from Shortlees Primary School in East Ayrshire, were awarded £200 worth of books for their schools. In addition, the top three finalists received toy gift cards – £100 for the winner, £75 for second place, and £50 for third place.
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Young Stirling joker secures ticket to Holyrood after quip earns spot in final
His top gag earned him a spot in the national competition where a pupil from each of the 32 council areas will compete for the crown. A Stirling primary school pupil has turned a good gag into a golden ticket for Holyrood after being named a finalist in a national joke-telling competition. Ru McCallum, a Primary One pupil at Allan's Primary School, has been crowned the winner of Stirling's regional heat in the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists' (RCSLT) VoiceBox competition – a national joke-telling contest celebrating the power of communication. With a joke that had judges in stitches, Ru now heads to the Grand Final at the Scottish Parliament on June 5, where 32 of Scotland's funniest primary school pupils – one from each local authority – will compete for the title of VoiceBox Champion 2025. Ru's joke which earned a place in the final, was: 'Why did the banana go to the doctor? Because he wasn't peeling very well!' The event will be hosted by Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, with Zara Janjua, BBC journalist and stand-up comedian, taking the mic as compère. Now in its second year, VoiceBox launched on Blue Monday – the so-called 'saddest day of the year' – with a very different energy, thanks to last year's winners from Cockenzie Primary in East Lothian. Since then, schools across Scotland have been submitting their funniest entries in a joyful celebration of confidence, creativity and communication. Ru has already secured £100 worth of Collins Big Cat books for their school, and is also now in the running for the top prizes: £500 of books for the winning school; £200 of books for second and third place; plus, a £100 toy gift card for the top three finalists. Glenn Carter, Head of RCSLT Scotland, said the competition is about more than making people laugh, explaining: 'We're incredibly proud of all the regional winners who've earned a place in the national final. 'VoiceBox is about much more than making people laugh. 'It's about highlighting the vital role that communication plays in every part of a child's life. 'Speech, language and communication, skills are the foundation for learning, social connection, mental wellbeing and future employment. 'Yet too many children still struggle without the support they need, often going unnoticed. 'Competitions like VoiceBox show just how powerful a child's voice can be when given a platform and why it's so important that we continue to invest in speech and language therapy to support children's communication. ' 'These children aren't just telling jokes. 'They're showing us how the ability to communicate can positively impact confidence, creativity and connection.'
