Tutor News

Throughout term two, Year 5 & 6 students in the Tutor Enrichment Program took part in national writing competitions open to all students across Australia. These include the Dymock’s Beyond Words Writing Competition where students were asked to submit a narrative of between 500-1500 words and the Dorothea MacKellar Poetry Awards which students are currently undertaking. The Tutor Enrichment Program made it possible by providing students with twice weekly small group sessions to workshop their writing pieces with a tutor. Students had to gather their ideas, draft and edit their text both at school and at home, meeting both the guidelines and deadlines of the task. 

Congratulations to all our young authors who took on the challenge. Below is one of our Year 5 students short story.  

The Bear in the Middle of Nowhere

As my stubby feet trot down the pathway of rocks, I stumble. I am walking slowly down the endless path which is unfolding for miles and miles ahead of me. I stop and scurry under a shady oak tree for a break away from the sweltering heat. Sweat drips down my forehead and I wipe it off with my soft and soothing fur. 

“I need to keep going, I can’t stop!” I roar to myself. 

A long miserable sigh escapes from my snout as l scoop a paw full of honey from my basket and guzzle up some water. I finish my food and lick my sticky paws of the remaining sweet honey. Wasting food is illegal for me especially in the months before I hibernate because of the chilly winter. Dusk is spreading across the land. I tilt my head up to the exquisite sky and find a star to wish on. My eyes gaze ambitiously on the full dazzling moon. As I cuddle myself tightly, I fall asleep into a deep slumber. Gentle silent tears trickle down my face as my thoughts drift away to my adventures that have led me so far from home.

I wake up after my long sleep and the radiant sun is smiling brightly at me. I squint and beam back at the sun. I stretch my legs and arms out and yawn. I get back on my feet and continue my journey home. As I turn my head slightly a frosty, numbing raindrop falls on the tip of my nose and tingles down my face. The light blue sky slowly turns into a foggy grey colour and the clouds are transforming into thick, black boulders. The wind has come up sharp and the sky is nearly completely dark. I am shivering. There are more drops, and it is turning into a heavy drizzle. I look for shelter. My heart feels exasperated. I find a maroon, brownish stick and also a sturdy, evergreen branch. I assemble them together with some rope that I find on the side of the road. My hard-working paws make myself a huge umbrella. Now I feel safe and warm. As I lie on the grass, I curve my little legs close to my chest and close my eyes. It's a struggle to open them back up. My eyelids feel heavy, but it is only morning. Why do I feel so tired? What is this feeling? 

I am on the grass, still as a statue. I’m discombobulated. I shake my head, thoughts spinning around. Meanwhile the rain stops. Without hurrying I peek out from under the umbrella and see the road flooded in pools of water. I rise from my position, and I take a deep breath, closing my eyes. The air feels so refreshing and pleasant. My brain never goes a day without thinking about home. I still remember the polished wooden floorboards that made squeaky noises when I ran, the floral curtains that are tied up with silky blue ribbons and a small, creamy, white cabinet with a heart shape carved on the door handles. My bed is soft as a sponge. I would always sink into it and dream. I remember, I remember, I remember. Ohh I miss it.

“Mhhhh,” I sigh. Here I go again thinking about home.

My eyes blink open and I see a lake in the distance. I walk towards it and stop and stare at my reflection. My eyes are pure brown, but my fur is matted everywhere across my body. I’ve shrunk, I’ve lost weight. I don’t look like that bear I used to be. I’m a stranger to myself. Lost in my thoughts, I lose my train of thought when suddenly I see a deer next to me.

“Do you live here?” the deer asks quietly. She seems scared. Her gaze rests on my body but then looks up into my eyes. “You’re lost right?”

My tummy rumbles and she steps back.

“I am lost,” I answer. But this lake looks familiar. I think I passed it before. Did I? I lower my head and pat my tummy. I then look at the deer. She is trembling. 

“Do you think-?” I begin before the deer suddenly gallops away. I scared it. All because of my loud tummy rumble. It’s abundantly clear though, I haven’t eaten anything properly for a long long time.

My heart feels discouraged. I take slow-moving steps. Am I wasting time here? No, I’m not! I need to get home! A sudden burst of energy flows through my body. I run for the whole day without stopping or thinking. As soon as I know it, I am strolling in the dark night. Pausing, I hear engines coming towards me. My brain is ticking and my eyes widening. Am I being captured or are they taking me home? I pinch my arm and it hurts. 

“Okay, I’m not imagining," I mutter under my breath.

I see many things. Are they humans? They resemble those pictures I saw in a book at school when I was a little cub. My heart is racing as I catch sight of approaching lights waving and flashing through the trees. I am looking for an escape route, but a reflection of light blinds my eyes. I see a chainsaw, a cage and some ropes. A cold shiver crawls down my spine and I am terrified. What do they want? Are they trying to kill me or help me? I see them and I think they see me. I’m cornered and worrying that my life is going to end. I shut my eyes as tight as I can but my persistence and determination to go home forces me to open them again. 

“Was this journey all for nothing?” I say in a small quivery voice.

I know I have to be brave, so I run. I run so far out of their sight. I don’t look back, I don’t want to. I am scared and it is dark. I can’t see. This seems like a blur, a nightmare. Suddenly, I slip and fall somewhere. Somewhere familiar, somewhere safe, somewhere…. it's HOME.