There are many wonderful opportunities for students of English across Years 7 to 12 to tap into their creative writing potential and enter state and Australia-wide writing competitions. Interested students are encouraged to speak to their English teacher about the opportunities available; they are usually happy to proofread and provide feedback on students drafted work prior to submission, as long as plenty of notice is provided before the deadline!

POETRY

Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards 2019

Entries are now open for the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards 2019, Australia’s oldest and best known annual poetry writing competition for students.

Poets are encouraged to take inspiration from wherever they may find it; however, if they are looking for some direction, competition participants are invited to use this year's optional theme ‘"Is There Anybody There?" to inspire their entries.

The categories for entry include Junior Secondary (Years 7 to 9), Senior Secondary (Years 10 to 12), Assisted Learning Secondary and a Schools’ Award. Professional writers with extensive experience in children’s literature and poetry are selected to judge the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards. Winners and runners-up will be awarded cash prizes, trophies and prize packs.

Entries close on 30 June 2019. See HERE for further information and resources.

Red Room Poetry Object 2019

Cartwheeling into its eighth year, Red Room Poetry Object, is Australasia’s largest free poetry writing competition for students and teachers (Years 3 to 10).

Poetry Object ignites imaginations by inviting young writers to create, publish and submit poems inspired by special objects. There are $10,000 in prizes to be won. The competition closes Friday 27 September 2019.

See HERE for further information.

WRITING

Australian Catholics 2019 Young Journalist Award: Voices of Hope

Australian Catholics is giving students in Catholic schools around the country the opportunity to get their writing published and win great prizes in the 2019 Young Journalist Award.

This year, the theme is, ‘The journey of a family'. Do you know of any families in your community who have embarked on an inspiring journey? The journey can be a physical trip, such as a family starting life in a new country or area. For example, What was the journey like for refugees? How did they travel? How long did it take? What dangers did the family face? However, the theme is not restricted to travel. Perhaps you could interview someone from a family business. How did the idea for the business come about? What went into the organisation? What 'ups and downs' have they faced? Alternatively, do you know a family that has dealt with sickness or trauma, or one where they play a particular sport or are involved as a family in a particular organisation? Stories can be found everywhere.

Being a journalist is about being able to find and share great stories, and stepping out of your comfort zone to learn more about the world around you.

For more competition details, tips on interviewing and writing the article, judging criteria and entry forms see HERE. Entries close on Friday 24 May 2019.

Insight Publications Creative Writing Competition

Insight Publications is proud to announce its Creative Writing Competition for 2019. This competition aims to ignite a passion for creative writing in secondary school students and to inspire the voices of the future.

Each story must be written to the theme, 'The price you pay'. Students are encouraged to express their creativity and be in the running to share in over $3000 of cash prizes!

Stories must also be accompanied by a 100-word statement that addresses at least one of the following points:

Your motivation for writing
Your creative inspiration and/or
Your aspirations for future writing.

For further information, see HERE. Entries close 16 August 2019.

2019 John Marsden and Hachette Australia Prize for Young Writers

Entries are now open for the 2019 John Marsden and Hachette Australia Prize for Young Writers, a developmental award open exclusively to Australian secondary school students across the nation.

The Prize recognises excellence in three creative writing categories: fiction, nonfiction and poetry.

The John Marsden and Hachette Australia Prize for Young Writers gives young creative writers the opportunity to hone their skills under the guidance of some of Australia’s favourite authors. The Prize aims to ignite passion for creative writing in the minds of Australia’s secondary school students and to encourage them to pursue writing and publishing opportunities inside and outside of the classroom.

Prize winners will receive $500 and a book pack of YA titles, courtesy of Hachette Australia, publication of their work on the Express Media website plus their names and an acknowledgement printed in Voiceworks, Australia’s premier youth literary journal.

Fifteen shortlisted writers will also be invited to participate in a writing masterclass, and later have the chance to meet and chat with John Marsden himself.

The final prize is judged by John Marsden, alongside representatives from Hachette Australia and Express Media.

Entries close on Sunday 30 June 2019.

For more information or to submit your entry, see HERE.

The Future Leaders Writing Prize

The Future Leaders Writing Prize is designed to recognise and reward talented young writers. It aims to encourage expressive and creative writing.

Year 11 and 12 students in Australian secondary schools are invited to submit a piece of writing (800 to 1,000 words). The writing can be fiction or non-fiction and on any topic.

Entries are due by 31 May 2019.

See HERE for further information.

Sandringham Writers' Guild Competition

The inaugural Sandringham Writers' Guild Competition is now open. This year, students in Year 9 and 10 are invited to address the following prompt in 1000 words or less: 'People in our community who are selfless and generous have the power to make a real and positive change in the lives of those around them. Discuss.'

You may respond using any mode (poem, story, personal reflection etc.)

Closing date is Friday 28 June.

See your English teacher for more information.

Kim Elliott

Learning Leader: English

Year 7 English - NAPLAN

NAPLAN Literacy testing assesses three main areas:

Language Conventions
Reading and
Writing

As Year 7 students were gearing up for the NAPLAN Literacy testing this week, some students took the opportunity to practise their creative writing skills by writing short stories based on last year’s writing prompts. Isobel Dyamond and Caitlyn Singleton, share their exciting creations for us to enjoy.

Do not open this book - Casey Singleton

Wanted; brave employee - Isobel Dymond

Ann Sutherland

Teacher: English

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