Whenever the opportunity arises, she encourages her students to refine their writing skills and put into practice what they have learned. So when the Singleton Writers Group advertised their Youth Competition, St Catherine’s Catholic College Head of English, Alana Partridge, encouraged all her students to enter.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Quite a few budding writers did just that, and three St Cath’s students ended up taking out their respective age group categories – each winning $100.
The youngest, Year two student Jonathan Davies, impressed the judges with his interpretation of the theme –My Dream. Jonathan’s creative piece described his dream of a world without disadvantage and war.
But the he also managed to interweave his desire for a bedroom with a lounge, a television, and an endless supply of Leggo.
“About a third of my dream has already come true as I am lucky enough to have lots of Leggo,” Jonathan jokes. And, what is he going to do with the prize money?
“I have put it in the bank,” he says. Whereas the winner of the 8-12 years category Grace Constable, says her cash prize is sitting at home.
The Year seven student says English is her favourite subject. While Year nine student Chelsea Jupp - who took out 13-17 years section – is undecided about what to spend her cash on. Both the girls 500 word short stories are dark, descriptive, and demonstrative tales written from very different perspectives - a wolf, and a dog. Chelsea’s captivating prose describes the life of a lone wolf.
“Deep pools of dark blood swirled around me, making patterns wit the melting ice beneath me, the blood of true warriors, the blood of my brother and loved ones.” Comparatively, Grace recounts the plight of a stray hound finding a home.
“Every time I walk up to a human they scowl. Horror streaks their face and their arms flail wildly. I wouldn’t bite them.”
In a step out of their comfort zone, these talented young writers had to read their stories out during a the ‘Celebration of Words’ at the town library during the Singleton Festival.