Commonwealth Class Story Writing Competition

Application Deadline: January 8th 2017

What images, emotions or memories come to mind when you think of the word ‘Peace’? Children around the world are invited to capture its meaning for this year’s Commonwealth Class Short Story Writing Competition. The competition offers a unique opportunity for students to become part of the Commonwealth’s rich storytelling heritage and to be in with the chance of winning some great prizes!

This competition is operated by the British Council to publicise the Commonwealth Class programme and to increase participation amongst pupils aged 7-14 years in Commonwealth Countries (the “Competition”). It will be open to two age categories – 7- 10 year olds and 11 14 year olds.

How to enter the competition

Participants are invited to write a story set in their own country and can enter one of two age categories (7-10 year olds or 11-14 year olds).
Students must adhere to the competition rules, which include eligibility criteria (see below) and submit their story via the online form.
Only one entry per person is allowed.
The theme of the story is ‘Peace’. The story must be written in English. The maximum word limit of the stories is :
300 words from 7-10 year olds
500 words from 11-14 year olds
Entry to the Competition is free of charge although entrants are responsible for

any costs associated with entry.
All entries must be submitted online.

Prizes:

The 1st prize winner will receive a £100 book token or equivalent voucher and a certificate.
The 2nd prize winner will receive a £50 book token or equivalent voucher and a certificate, and the 3rd prize winner will receive a £30 book token or equivalent voucher and a certificate.
Prizes are personal to the winners and cannot be transferred to any third party. Prizes cannot be exchanged for money or any other goods or services.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Commonwealth Class Story Writing Competition 2017

Application Deadline: 9:00 AM on Monday 14 November 2016.

What does the word ‘Belonging’ mean to you?

All sorts of images might pop into your head – maybe of your family, friends, country, or perhaps even of your favourite sports team! It might not be an image at all, but a particular emotion, memory or sensation.
Capture what ‘Belonging’ means to you by putting pen to paper or fingertips to keyboard and submitting your story to our Commonwealth Class story writing competition.

The competition is open to teachers and students aged 7 to 14 from Commonwealth countries and is a wonderful opportunity for you to add your voice to the Commonwealth’s rich storytelling heritage through writing and illustration (and, of course, be in with the chance of winning some fantastic prizes!)

Get your creative juices flowing by heading to the Commonwealth Education Trust’s River of Stories website and exploring their inspiring, beautifully illustrated range of stories and poems from around the Commonwealth. Stories can be submitted electronically and by post, so go ahead and be as bold and innovative as you like.

Entering the Commonwealth Class story writing competition couldn’t be simpler:

Scan, take a photo or save a PDF version of your story;
Complete the competition entry form and upload your story by following this link;
Read and tick the box to indicate you have read the competition terms of reference (see ‘Documents’ section at the bottom of this page) and submit everything by clicking the ‘Submit Form’ button.

If you prefer, you can post a hard copy of your story and entry form to the following address:

Elaine Nesbitt
British Council
The Boat, 7th floor
49 Queen’s Square
Belfast
BT1 3FG
Northern Ireland

Information for students

Students will be split into two different age categories: 7 to 10 year olds and 11 to 14 year olds.

Students should write a story set in their own country and based around the theme of ‘Belonging’
The story must be written in English
The story should be illustrated. Take a look at the beautiful covers of the Commonwealth Education Trust’s River of Stories anthology as inspiration. Participants are free to choose the medium of their illustrations (for example, they can be hand-drawn, using a computer/tablet etc.)
The word limit of the story for the 7-10 year olds category is 300 words
The word limit of the story for the 11-14 year olds category is 500 words.

Shortlisting and prizes

Entries will be shortlisted and judged by a panel of judges selected by British Council in the UK.

The following prizes will be given to students awarded first, second and third place in the competition:

First prize: a River of Stories anthology published by the Commonwealth Education Trust for the school AND a £100 book token or equivalent for the student
Second prize: £50 book token or equivalent for the student
Third prize: £30 book token or equivalent for the student.

Information for teachers

Teachers should submit a fictional story for children on the theme of ‘Belonging’
The word limit for the story is 1500 words
The story must be written in English and set in the teacher’s home country.

Shortlisting and prizes

Shortlisted entries will be judged by Anne Fine, the award winning author and former Children’s Laureate. The winner will receive the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of taking part in a writing master class delivered by Anne Fine herself and a River of Stories anthology published by the Commonwealth Education Trust for the School.

Enter the competition

The deadline for story submissions is 9:00 AM on Monday 14 November 2016. Follow the link to download the competition entry form.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Commonwealth Class Story Writing Competition 2016

Commonwealth Class Story Writing Competition

Commonwealth Class Story Writing Competition 2017 for School Teachers & Students from the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth Class Story Writing Competition 2016 for School Teachers & Students from the Commonwealth.