Writing Competition Results for August

The August Writing Competition has just concluded with yet another high-quality round of writing. Classwork continues to make up the majority of entries across the various subject areas. The quality of writing is a high standard. With that in mind, the winners in the month of August are:

Year 7: Shaun Christian.

Year 8: Samantha Xavier.

Year 9: Raphaella Thimiopoulos-Wilson

Year 10: Jennifer Assi.

Year 11: Theresia Purwadi

Each winner receives a $30 Teen gift voucher.

Our Honourable Mentions with quality submissions in the month of August are:

Tristan Fegradoe (8), Lily Bayrich (9), Mackenzie Jones (9), Mia Rovira (11), Sienna Dades (11).

Below are some samples of writing from August. Fonts have not been altered to preserve the intentions and originality of the student work. Thank you to those who entered. I look forward to receiving your submissions for the next competition ending on October 31st. Be prepared to think of something scary!

‘Le Cirque de la Lune’ by Samantha Xavier, Year 8.

Nestled in a lea of plum blossoms and fluttering starlight,

bathed in the glow of a glittering blue swathe,

her Junoesque figure stood, 

lips turned upward

lost and found in the magic of the fading dusk. 

Eyes as green as seafoam, 

she gazed  and beckoned me with her smile. 

I enveloped her in a hug of swindled light,

as the sky dimmed and splintered open.

We danced together in forbidden harmony to the music of the sky 

shedding its unabated tears.

Yet by the time it ceased its sorrowful lament,

I had disappeared into the sweet light of dawn.

until tomorrow’s slumber, 

my love.

‘Back To My Other Home’ by Mia Rovira Year 11.

The weekend approaches

My dad drops me off

My home away from home.

My smile fades, coming to terms with

The fact that I'm the trade

The weekend ends

My mum drops me off

Back to my other home,

I keep a toothbrush

Here and there.

Just need to adjust the amount of air

Replay the week

Back to the peak

When i was at my other home,

All alone

Just me and my dad

Not a thought of being sad

Extract from ‘Wind and Fire’ by Theresia Purwadi, Year 11.

Other than interrogating the two separately, Myra also questioned them while they were together. Ms Howlette seemed to be a lovely lady who was most definitely not a manipulative woman influencing her fiance for her own greed. Myra took note that she was mostly quiet and was careful to contribute answers only when she wasn’t about to overtalk the viscount. When Ms Howlette did once, he paused and gently urged her to talk with a friendly tone. The couple seemed so in love it made Myra consider her marriage otherwise out of mere convenience. 

It was upon her own request that her father searched for bachelors across the country who were around a high status and with a respectable job rather than a private income. Being a woman in this profession provided favour as she seemingly had empathy, and Myra wasn’t head-turningly attractive which had allowed her to blend in and get by. Yet alas it was a patriarchy. After all, she had to find someone stable to live comfortably while finding self entertainment. Her father agreeing, Myra soon agreed to a suitable husband: the eldest son of a wealthy enough family making his way through society as a lawyer. He had acknowledged her intellect and wits from the beginning which prompted him to allow her establishment of a bookstore as a disguise providing wider access for wary clients coming to consult her without concern about the public eye. Even now, he had provided her with an interesting case that had Myra at her wits’ end. 

When she interrogated the couple together, Viscount Hurst explained that eloping was their last resort. He still loved Ms Howlette just as much as his parents, causing his trail of thought that if his parents wouldn’t be happy seeing them together, it would be better if they were far away. Even after making the decision, he explained he had regrets as Count Hurst was injured from his time serving in the army and usually needed help, rarely moving around. Being of old age, the Countess had also been diagnosed with arthritis although she did not require regular medication. Despite this, he was reassured that they would be in the care of the house maid. Both the viscount as well as Ms Howlette were devastated when they heard the news and were brought back from when they stopped near Birmingham.