Student Spotlight

Congratulations to the Winner of the My Brother Jack Awards - Manaswi from 6C!

On Sunday November 5th, the Presentation of the finalists in the My Brother Jack Awards was held at Glen Eira Council Hall. This award, which recognises the outstanding literary achievements of people who live, work or study in Glen Eira, was one open to the entire community to enter. One such member was Ormond Primary School’s very own Manaswi from 6C.

Of writing and entering the competition, Manaswi said, 

“My family and my class teacher are my biggest inspiration. They have supported me throughout every step and alway encouraged me to work on my writing. What also inspired me to write is the power of words. I am fascinated by how they can transport us to different worlds, evoke emotions and inspire change. I find joy in crafting stories and sharing them with others, hoping to make a positive impact.”

With an astounding 116 entries in this section from grade 1 to grade 6, covering an astonishing breadth of subjects. With themes that included tales of magical portals, being an outsider, and dreams. Manaswi sat patiently, with crossed fingers, hearing the names of the other finalist entries, highly commended authors and winners, waiting for her category to be called.

Then it was time. The judge for the Primary School Short Story Category was Eliza Henry-Jones. Eliza, who grew up in Glen Eira, is known for being the author of the adult novels ‘Ache’ and ‘In the Quiet’ and the YA novels ‘P is for Pearl’ and ‘How to Grow a Family Tree’. As Manaswi and her family were sitting holding their breath, an explosion of joy erupted as her name was called as the winner in her category.

Of Manaswi’s story ‘Sky Change’ Eliza said,

“Sky Change snuck up on me. It’s a poetic and original piece of writing, structured around and charting the changes in the sun over a day. I was immediately captivated by the rich use of language and the unique themes. I knew I’d found my winner when the next day I was brushing my teeth and still thinking about it. ‘Sky Change’ persuades its readers to slow down, to pay attention, not just to the natural world, but also to how it constantly changes. It’s a wonderful piece and an impressive achievement from someone so young.”

If you would like to read any of the other stories that won or were highly commended across all categories, please go to the following website, https://library.gleneira.vic.gov.au/whats-on/my-brother-jack-awards. 

But you don’t have to wait long to read Manaswi’s. Here is the Primary School Short Story winner of the My Brother Jack Awards, Manaswi of 6C’s short story ‘Sky Change’.

Sky Change

The morning dew lightened up the sky with mischievous colors. A sparkle of hope and a pinch of joy. As the sun rose higher and higher, its warm embrace spread across the land, chasing away the remnants of night. Golden fingers of sunlight lit up the scene which made the view even more surreal. The sky cast its enchanting spell on everything it touched. The grass shimmered with dewdrops, sparkling like tiny diamonds, flowers opened their delicate petals, revealing their vibrant beauty to the world. Even the bustling city streets seemed to pause for a moment, captivated by the ethereal beauty above. The breathtaking view illuminated the finest shade of tangerine. 

The sun peeked over the horizon, casting a soft glow upon the world. As the hours passed, the sky transformed into a brilliant blue canvas. The sun climbed higher, infusing the air with warmth and energy. Shadows grew shorter, and the world awakened with renewed vigor. The morning evolved into a dewy afternoon, painting the day with endless possibilities. 

As afternoon fell, the sun crossed the meridian. The blue sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds that drifted lazily in the hush of the afternoon heavens. The sky was in the clearest shade of sapphire that no camera could capture its outstanding elegance. The sun shone like there was no tomorrow, brilliantly in the clear, the most magnificent shade of amber. 

As the sun reached its zenith, casting a brilliant glow upon the world, the bustling energy of the day began to mellow. The sky transformed into a tapestry of warm hues, as shades of orange and pink painted the horizon. Shadows grew longer, gracefully stretching across the landscape. The air carried a sense of tranquility, as the day gracefully transitioned into the enchanting embrace of evening, offering a moment of respite and the promise of a peaceful evening ahead. 

While the sun was setting, there was a calm melody. The evening sun cast long shadows on the ground. The slanting rays of the setting sun gave a warm orange tinge to the sky. The sky was ablaze with the fire of the setting sun. The blush of the sun was the smoothest dim of red velvet. The clouds swirled like cotton candy which were in the lightest texture of magenta. The sun was surrounded by the most fascinating auburn shade. 

The sun is down and the moon is up, dazzling, shimmering and glistening in the pitch dark outer space. The stars stole the show by pondering the sky with silver glitter. The sky was an endless celestial, an unstoppable force. The chills of the midnight moon were spreading calm and positive vibes around the horizon. The moon was glimmering like a pearl in an oyster. The night sky was harmonious, unspeakable and indescribable…