Young Writer
This competition allows entrants' imaginations to run wild! After being given a theme, participants can choose to write fiction or non-fiction, a story or a poem; with the opportunity to express themselves and get creative with the written word.
Club entries should be e-mailed to Howard Ferdinando (Rotarians - you should find me on DMS, or please make contact via the link below). Please advise me which club you represent. Entries to District level and beyond must comply with the current year Rules & Guidlines document published on the Rotary GB&I website (sub page Youth Service). (Log in is not required to access the document, but it is necessary to obtain the entry form). Every club may submit one entry in each age category per school (see note below) - this would normally be the winners of the club competition. Entries must include a fully completed and signed entry form, sent in a separate attachment. Each entry should also be in separate attachments.
The 2019/20 variation to the "one per club per age category" was that for 2019/20 (and beyond, until further notice) ciubs may (if they wish) enter one per school - this is by popular request and aimed at accommodating clubs who sponsor more than one RotaKids club (or engage with more than one school for this competition)
The deadline for entries for the District round 2023/24 was Sunday 10th March. It will be around the same time in 2025 - so get planning now!
Advice to Clubs: Consider agreement with schools that the school holds an internal competition first, to send (say) the best 10 or 15 to the Rotary Club for judging. One club, who will remain anonymous, did not make such a restriction, and were then faced with around 300 entries (the whole school), which then took them a considerable time to assess!
The 2023-24 Rotary Youth Competition Guidelines document contains everything a Rotary club needs to know about offering these competitions to young people in their community. The rules change (generally only minimally) from year to year. The theme changes each year. Please ensure you look at current year guidance notes!
The 2021 winners were:
Intermediate: Mia Kellett, entered by West Wirral club
Seniors: Thea Matheison, also entered by West Wirral club
There were fewer entries in 2021 (and none in the Junior group) - presumably as coronavirus had made it difficult for clubs to engage with schools.
The 2021 winning entries were sent to RGBI as the District entries - and the good news is that Thea's entry was placed first. Congratulations to Thea, and thanks to the West Wirral club for selecting her piece for entry. Winning entries are published on the RGBI website.
The 2022 competition was not well supported, but for perfectly understandable reasons. The winner at Intermediate level (and hence then entered to RGBI) was Hannah McKay, entered by West Wirral RC. There were no entries at Junior or at Senior levels.
The 2023 competition was only supported at Junior level. The winner was Yusuf Buldu from Froncysyllte County Primary. The sposoring club was Wrexham. His entry was submitted to RGBI as the District entry. It was well received, but not placed.
The 2024 competition was supported at Intermediate and Senior level. There were no entries at Junior level. Intermediate winner - Emily Weatherhead. Senior winner - Sophie Dolphin. Both sponsored by West Wirral Rotary. These entries have now been submitted to RGBI as the District entries. We await the results!
Rotarians: Please consider an early approach to schools for 2024/25. Engagement before the end of the Summer term is suggested! Please also encourage entrants to use the correct theme (see RGBI rules and guidance for the current year). In 2023 not one of the entrants headed their work with the correct title, which immediately puts them at a likely disadvantage!
Contact Howard Ferdinando about this page:
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