A pupil from Portknockie Primary School has been named a finalist in a national joke-telling competition.
Eleven-year-old Brooke Maclean made the local judges laugh with her joke: “Why do French people eat snails? Because they don’t like fast food!”
Brooke will now compete in the Speech and Language Therapists’ (RCSLT) VoiceBox competition. The final will take place at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, 5 June 2025.
Brooke said, “I’m nervous but excited. My friends encouraged me to enter the competition, but I didn’t think I had a chance!
“First, I won a competition in my class. Then I told my joke in front of the whole school, and when I won that, my joke was judged for all of Moray.
“When I heard the other jokes, I didn’t think I had a chance. I’m really pleased but still a bit surprised!”
Her mother, Sharon, said, “Brooke has bragging rights over her little brother—he entered too, but she beat him! I’m proud of them both. Brooke has always been quiet but very witty, with some great one-liners. Winning has been great for her confidence.”
Karen Murray, Head Teacher of Portknockie Primary School, said, “We’re delighted for Brooke. She has shown great humour and confidence. The whole school will be cheering her on this Thursday! All the pupils who took part had a great time and did brilliantly.”
Councillor Kathleen Robertson, Chair of the Education, Children’s and Leisure Services Committee, said, “This is a fantastic achievement for Brooke. I wish her the best of luck in the final. I also want to congratulate all the pupils who took part in the local competition. They showed real creativity and wit.”
