Year 7 student Heidi and year 11 student Sam have succeeding in reaching the National final of the Rotary Young Writer competition. Just a few weeks ago they received their certificates and prizes for winning the local round of the competition and found out they would be granted a place in the regional round. Fast forward a week and their creativity was once again recognised and rewarded with places in the National final. John from Rotary again visited the school to present these two talented students their regional prize.
John noted the judges comments on Heidi’s entry which scored 6 out of 9 and awarded 1st place by two judges ‘I found this poem very moving and I’m sure that most people could relate to the situation themselves at some point in their lives. I loved the way the poem was constructed, and how inspiring the words became as she describes the rebuilding of self and character. I think a lot of young, and not so young, people would benefit from these words!’
Sam was place in second place on two judges scorecards but the final vote scored him first to give him 7 out of 9, – judges comment:
‘This is a very moving piece of work. Although the story is short, in those words the writer has skilfully painted a picture of the trauma faced by men and their families following the devastating hostilities of war. I found I was completely invested the characters by the end of the story, and the hopeful words of the author, that although not the same, perhaps by rebuilding things, everything could possibly be better’.
Heidi and Sam both attend the Creative Writing club run by Mrs Westacott. The club meets once a week and is attended by students across all year groups. We wish them the very best of luck in this final, very important round.