Creativity and an appreciation for the writing process has been at the forefront of our English experiences recently. Last week we were very fortunate to be joined by acclaimed writer Suzy Zail, and this week our talented competition winners were announced for the Kilbreda Creative Writing competition. Here’s an update on the exciting competition from our wonderful English leaders, Siorcha and Lilly:

Kilbreda Creative Writing Competition

Earlier this term, the English team ran the Kilbreda Creative Writing competition, a school-wide competition to encourage imagination and passion for writing. Students were asked to construct a short story or poem inspired by the prompt; ‘Why am I talking to you? You’re not even real.’. With over 30 entries to choose from, judging the amazing pieces of writing was immensely difficult. However, after much deliberation, our winners were decided.

In the Junior Division first place went to Eve Jurdukian from Year 8. Second place was awarded to Sophie Chapman from Year 7. Finally, in third place was Charlotte Maclean from Year 9.

In the Senior Division, first place was awarded to Ann Moir from Year 10. In second place was Sophie Hollier, also Year 10. Third place was awarded to Daniella Mayne from Year 12. Congratulations to these incredible writers!

The Wrong Boy

For our Year 9 students, their current text The Wrong Boy really came to life for them when we welcomed author Suzy Zail to the college. Suzy’s gripping novel tells the story of forbidden love within Auschwitz and draws upon her family’s history and experience of the Holocaust. As Suzy describes on her website:

‘The Wrong Boy was inspired by my father, both in that it draws upon his experiences in Auschwitz and was written to keep his memory alive. My father had survived Auschwitz as a thirteen year old. He’d never told us what had happened to him in the concentration camp – he arrived in Australia, saw smiling Australian faces and decided the war was an aberration. He put it behind him and started over. It was only after he was diagnosed with a terminal illness that he told us everything.’

Source: https://www.suzyzail.com.au/the-wrong-boy-inspiration.html

The students gained so much from listening to Suzy and it was a wonderful opportunity for them to ask so many thoughtful questions to help them better understand this confronting period of history, and the intricacies of love and family. We are blessed to provide such opportunities for our young women as they explore our world, and its many complications, both past, present and future.  

Nicola O’Shea
Learning Leader: English