VATE WRITERS COMPETITION

Hello Again from the English Team,

This year I’ve had the privilege of teaching a gorgeous Year 9 class who are always looking for opportunities for fun, learning, and extension. One of the students in this class recently entered a piece in a writing competition as part of our extension program, extending her expressive skills and refining her editing craft.

Meet Kaya 

Kaya is a thoughtful and spirited Year 9 writer who has truly extended herself this year. Tackling the challenge of the A Story in Miniature – 2025 Writing Competition, she crafted a polished and vivid mini-tale that showcases her playful intelligence and keen awareness of the world.

Kind and funny, Kaya brings warmth and wit to everything she writes. She keeps her finger on the pulse of politics and current events, weaving that awareness into her writing in subtle and surprising ways. Through her story she invites us to reconsider our perspectives and question rigid ways of thinking—Even Descartes would have to think twice.

Her commitment this year has been impressive; she’s shown up to class ready to dive in, asked thoughtful questions, and consistently pushed herself beyond expectations. It’s been a joy to watch her growth as a writer, and I am immensely jealous of her future Year 10 English teacher.

We can’t wait to see where Kaya’s curiosity and voice will take her next. Congratulations on your achievement in the competition and thank you for sharing your story with us!

THREADS OF MEMORY 

Once a year, in the darkened side street behind the corner shop, a door appears. Those who find it say that it leads to a market, where memories are money. Most people dismiss these stories as tall tales, but occasionally someone will be inexplicably drawn to the graffiti covered alley, will make the choice to believe that beyond, there is a better life awaiting them, and will venture into Mnemosyne’s Web.

Hana was alone. Again. This time it was all because of that stupid spotted cat. Hana had grown attached to it over the last year, while she killed time waiting for her mother to return home. Naturally, when it ran, she had followed, desperate not to lose her only friend. As she rushed through town the abandoned corner shop, the one with local folklore intertwined into its brick bones, came into view.

Slowing, Hana cautiously approached the entrance to the alley behind it, noticing the faint sound of voices. She hesitated before slipping through the door that appeared in front of her, shivering at the chill. 

“Trade your heartbreak for joy!”

 “Loneliness for a memory from childhood!” 

Vendors shouted their trades across the crowded lanes. Hana slowed, intrigued by the offers. How could they possibly have a memory from my childhood? She wondered, peering through the mass of people to get a glimpse of the men and women running the strange stalls. The cat slipped away, unnoticed.

Hana’s life was far from perfect, but she tried despite her mother’s words, unintentional in their damage, chipping away defences never intended to protect her from her own family. Lost in thought, she barely noticed as she reached the end of the lanes, but a faint voice calling her name jolted her out of her reverie. She turned, spotting a small, tattered tent nestled in the corner.

Inside, Hana found an elderly woman slumped in an armchair. “Welcome my dear,” she said croakily.

Hana smiled politely, “I was hoping you would be interested in a trade.”

The woman sighed heavily, “Every year, someone comes to my shop asking the same thing. I deal in many trades, be more specific dearie.”

“Any love – unconditional love. Please ma’am. I’m not picky.”

“Are you sure? Many people have stood where you are now, asking for love. Often, they already have it.”

For a moment, a brief memory of simpler times, of her mother holding her close filled Hana with warmth.

“See,” the woman said kindly “Your mother cares very deeply about you, Hana, she just needs help learning how to show it again.”

“I think I understand now, thank you ma’am” 

Hana opened the tent and stepped outside, not at all surprised to find herself back at the abandoned corner shop with magic still tingling through her bones. She slowly began the walk home; her steps lighter than they had been in years. 

From the other side of the world, an old woman and her polka dot cat watched Hana, smiling faintly.