This year, Craigieburn Secondary College, celebrated Book Week with a range of activities and events.

Students were challenged with daily trivia; we ran a short story competition using the Book Week theme of 'grow' and 'inspire.' There was a book cover design contest where students had to create a cover based on a series of scenarios created by our English department. We also had students searching amongst the library shelves for a "Where's Wally" find-it activity and "Book Bingo" the following day.

The winners of the 2023 Book of the Year (all available from the school library) for older readers are -

Have a look at the winning entries for our book cover design competitions.

Check out the winning short story entry for students in years 7-9, written by Alicia Hassall

Katie’s Story.

My name is Katie. This is the story of how I went from being the school’s biggest bully to the nicest girl in school.

Kick.

Punch.

“Nobody likes you and no one ever will!” we say.

“You are ugly!” we spit.

We skip back to the classroom with smiles on our faces, books in our hands and hatred in our minds. We are laughing as if we had not just broken somebody’s confidence and self-esteem.

When we get to the door however, there is a piece of paper taped to it, it reads:

Whole year level presentation in the gym.

“Hah, no math for us then, come on guys let's put our books back in our locker and go to the gym!” I smirk.

*

“Alright year nines, listen up!” the coordinator yells out.

Silence.

“A group of presenters have come to our school today to educate us on bullying and how it affects young people. So, please show some respect and listen to them,” the coordinator continues.

I gulp, knowing that I am guilty of bullying so many people. I never thought about the impact my words and actions had on others.

I watch the performance. I think about every single word I said to my peers. How dare I say those things to such kind-hearted people that never did anything wrong. How dare I sit here acting as if I have not made people feel so insecure and unsafe.

I look over to Brittany and Chloe the girls that are supposed to be my “best friends” but instead of seeing them as friends, I see them as accomplices in my evil acts.

They don’t seem worried at all. They’re calm and collected, enjoying the performance just like everyone else, but we don’t deserve to. We deserve to be punished for our hateful actions.

*

The performance has ended, it is lunchtime. My mind and heart are racing. I must apologize!

I start with the girl we yelled at before the assembly.

“I am so sorry that I said those horrible things to you. I didn’t understand that my words and actions affected everyone so much, I should not have done that. I am sorry.”

I see a smile appear on her face.

“I forgive you! Thank you so much for apologizing to me. It means a lot, even though I know you should not have treated me or anyone else like you did, I believe everyone deserves a second chance.”

We spend lunch together and find we have a lot in common, so we became friends pretty fast. However, I am not done apologizing.

I walk around the school finding anyone I treated badly, even teachers and say sorry. Some people accepted my apology, some don’t but that is alright, I understand.

I have now made new friends and I told a teacher about the situation. I obviously got a punishment, but I deserve it. Brittany and Chloe still have not apologized. Nobody can make them; nobody can force them to be genuinely sorry. Hopefully, they will come to realize that they are just reflecting their own insecurities onto others.

Hume City Softball Association