competitions

Spring 2011 writing competition – winner under 9s

Here is the winning Under 9s story from our spring 2011 writing competition.

A reminder: always check the rules of the competition. If you don’t stick to the rules, we have to disqualify your entry and that makes us sad!

Under 9s winner: C Ng (WA)

THE THREE LITTLE WISHES
So I was just messing around with my pencils and was just about to  pack them into boxes when my own pencil dropped to the floor. I had not realised and stepped on it. I heard a cracking sound. ‘NOOOOO!’

The van arrived to pick up the box to take to my customers. I quickly packed my pencils into the box and watched the van drive away.

I decided to go into the bush near my house to locate a piece of wood to make myself a new pencil. After making my pencil, I polished the wood and sharpened the pencil. The wood sparkled. My cupboard rattled. A piece of paper flew onto my desk. I couldn’t help but started drawing. I was ravenous and drew a sandwich. I looked at my drawing and my mouth started to water.

Suddenly, there was a sandwich made out of Turkish bread with cheese, avocado and turkey on the table! I couldn’t believe my eyes. It looked exactly like my drawing! I munched the sandwich. It tasted yumtious!

The drawing of the sandwich was no longer on the paper. Instead, there was a message, it said, ‘YOU HAVE 2 WISHES LEFT’

I stared in astonishment. I had made a wishing pencil! I rushed back to the bush. Where was that tree? I would be rich making all these pencils. But the tree had vanished. I better use my wishes carefully.

Money! I could draw a stack of money and I’ll be rich! I could buy a new house and car. I quickly went to my desk and used my magic pencil to draw a stack of money on the paper. I waited in anticipation. A stack of monopoly money appeared on the table. I can’t use this! I stamped my feet in anger.

I took a walk down the street trying to calm down. While I was strolling, I saw a child crying and asked her why she was crying.

‘My mother is terribly sick in hospital and may not come home!’ she cried.

I went home feeling empty. I had an awful time deciding what to do with my final wish. I had been selfish. A little girl is worried about a dying mother while I am thinking of a new car!

I realised what I should do. I went back to my desk and grabbed my magic pencil. I drew the little girl’s mother coming home healthy. I then went back down the street to see that little girl. A beautiful woman got out of her car and ran towards the girl.

I couldn’t believe the happiness I felt in my heart. It was the most satisfying feeling I ever felt.

competitions, info

Winter 2011 poetry comp: THE WINNERS (Part 2)

Here is the winning Under 9s story from our winter 2011 writing competition. You were asked to imagine waking up one morning to find you had grown wings—and to write a poem about it.

A reminder: always check the rules of the competition. If you don’t stick to the rules, we have to disqualify your entry and that makes us sad!

Under 9s winner: M Watervoort (WA)

SURPRISE

The sun slapped my face
It gave me a fright.
Morning was here
Gone was the night.
I looked in the mirror
I turned my back
And what I saw
Gave me an attack!
Wings! Wings!
All on my back.
Six pairs of them.
What a six pack!

competitions, info, poetry, teachers' resources

Summer ’10 poetry comp: THE WINNERS (Part II)

"Boy writing by Greg Mitchell"
© Greg Mitchell

Here is the winning Under 9s poem from our summer 2010 writing competition. You were asked to write a poem incorporating the word ‘snap.’

A reminder: always check the rules of the competition. If you don’t stick to the rules, we have to disqualify your entry and that makes us sad!

Under 9s winner: T Arthur (NSW)

Hearing Snap

Snap is the sound that you hear when the elastic in
your underpants goes.
Snap is the sound of crocodiles’ teeth.
Snap is the sound of …
Who knows!

Congratulations! The winners of our writing competitions receive a $20 book voucher.

Enter our autumn writing competition. Entries close 29 April 2011.