JOHN HAWKINS/Fairfax NZ
CUT ABOVE THE REST: James Hargest College student Kaela Harley has received the top score for the ICAS English exam.
Invercargill girl (11 year old) who reads at least seven books a week has won an international English competition.
James Hargest College student Kaela Harley has received the highest score for her age group in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific islands in the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools English exam.
It was the first time she had entered in the competition. "I was really surprised and shocked.
"It was reasonably easy for me, English comes naturally to me," she said.
Kaela said she read about seven books in an average school week and more during school holidays.
"I just love reading. I usually just fit it in when I can."
Earlier this year she participated in a 20-hour famine without books instead of food.
When asked how she coped, Kaela said it was "all right, luckily sleeping counted so that helped".
She ruled out doing the full 40-hour famine without books next year. "No way - I'm not sure I'll make it," she said.
Looking to the future, Kaela said she had hopes of being a teacher or nurse but admitted she had thought about being a librarian.
Teacher Hinea Ruaporo said Kaela had recommended books to her that were now being studied in class. "She reads a phenomenal amount of books each week.
"She's a lover of literacy and her reading.
"Every day's a new book and they're not easy reading," she said.
Kaela will receive her medal of achievement at the University of Auckland Business School on December 7.
The school will hold a bake sale to help raise funds on November 29.
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