STORY-WRITING
$500 value first prize - all entries published!

- If you wish to enter more than two entries in a particular age group you are welcome to do so.
We will accept up to a total of four entries per school.

What is Wakakirri Story-Writing?
Got something in your head? Non-fiction or fantasy we want to know. You have a maximum of 500 words in which to tell your story. Simple!

Every story entered in Wakakirri Story-Writing automatically becomes a part of the Wakakirri Guinness World Record Attempt, read more here. It’s such an easy competition every student can be a part of it and a big bonus is that Wakakirri Story-Writing can be a fantastic class tool to prepare students for NAPLAN Testing. Entry is FREE. Two age groups (5-7yrs & 8 +) and two entries per age group four entries per school.

Story-Writing Special Guest Judges 2009 The 2009 Special Guest Judge for Story-Writing is esteemed author Jackie French. Jackie French's writing career spans 17 years, 48 wombats, 132 books, over 50 awards in Australia and overseas, assorted 'Burke's Backyard' segments, radio shows, newspaper and magazine columns, theories of pest and weed ecology and 27 shredded back doormats. The doormats are the victims of the wombats who require constant appeasement in the form of carrots, rolled oats and wombat nuts, which is one of the reasons for her prolific output: it pays the carrot bills. Jackie’s books include: Diary of a Wombat, Macbeth and Son, Hitler’s Daughter, They Came on Viking Ships, The Goat Who Sailed the World, and most recently, The Camel Who Crossed Australia. (photo by Bryan Sullivan)

Our other 2009 special guest judge is Andy Griffiths. Andy is one of Australia's most successful and funniest writers for children. He is the author of over 15 books and has sold over 4 million copies worldwide. His most successful books include the JUST! series of short stories, The Day My Bum Went Psycho, Zombie Bums from Uranus, Bumageddon: the Final Pongflict, The Bad Book, The Cat on the Mat is Flat, and The Big Fat Cow that Goes Kapow. Andy is frequently found giving talks in schools and considers it his mission in life to entertain, amuse and disgust readers of all ages.

On this page:
What Stories Can You Tell?
How Do I Make Make a positive impact on the world around us through Story-Writing?
Register for 2009
Rules
Awards and Judging
Register for 2009

What Stories Can You Tell?

Wakakirri is all about making a positive impact on the world around us.

Stories have always been a great medium for exploring and learning about the world.  If you look close enough, you’ll find all stories examine the worlds around us, both real and imagined.

Your story can be an original story or an interpretation of an existing story. BUT remember, the script must be original.

Schools are also invited to include a Signature Item in their works. The 2009 Signature Item is "spring". Schools can represent the signature item as part of their work in any way they choose. It can be used thematically or literally, it be on stage for the entire item or for a second. Awards will be handed out during the festival and competition series.

For example the Signature Item ‘spring’ could be (although certainly not limited to):
- a water spring ... the season of spring ... a spring in your step ...a bouncy spring

 
Where can we see examples of past works?
Read the 2008 Story-Writing Finalist Works by Primary Students here.
Read the 2008 Story-Writing Finalist Works by Secondary Students here
Read the 2007 Story-Writing finalist works by primary students in the 2007 Online Primary Showcase.
Read the 2007 Story-Writing finalist works by secondary students in the 2007 Online Secondary Showcase

You can also check out the 2006 finalists here and the 2005 finalists here.

2009 Story-Writing Dates

• April 3rd- Registrations Close
• April- Begin uploading your entries online
• August 28th – All Story-Writing works due at the Wakakirri Office!
• September/October- Entries Judged by National Judging Panel
• November- People's Choice Awards- Voting begins online
• December- National results announced to the nation during National Story Week on the annual Wakakirri TV Special.

REGISTER YOUR SCHOOL FOR STORY-WRITING 2009

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How do I make a positive impact on the world around us through Story-Writing?

Making a positive impact means many things. What did you learn? What did you hope to teach others? How sustainable was your writing process? Did you minimise your footprint? How did your production make a difference to the world around you?

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Rules
• Two entries per age group only. Four entries per school. Many schools run Wakakirri Story-Writing competitions within the school and then send us the 4 entries that are voted the best.
• Two age groups. 5-7years and 8+
• Entries must tell an original story or original interpretation of a story.
• Entries must be the sole work of students.
• Maximum length for each Story-Writing work is 500 words for primary schools. Stories over this word limit will not be accepted for judging.
• Stories must be appropriate to the age group including language and themes.
• Works are emailed directly from the school to Wakakirri for judging by an expert panel. Only emailed works will be accepted for judging.

Sending in Entries
• Entries will only be accepted by registered schools
• All entries must be sent via email (wakakirri@wakakirri.com).
• Your story must have a title and be written in the body of the email- attachments will NOT be opened.
• The coordinators name, school, phone and students name must also be written at the end of the email.
• Participating students must complete publicity consent forms that are then retained at the school.

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Awards and Judging
• Every entry will receive a Participation Award and Assessment Certificate
• Overall national winners are selected for the primary competitions
• Selected entries from each state will be displayed on the www.wakakirri.com website
• Winners and selected entries may also be published in other Wakakirri materials to be shared with other schools and students
• National primary school winners will be announced during National Story Week in December 2009
• Five additional awards will be given out: The writing award for the most skilled writer; the originality award; the most creative use of the signature item award; and an award for the best story about the environment.

The Wakakirri Prize- Positive Impact Award
The Wakakirri Prize is the most prestigious award of all. It is awarded to a Wakakirri school from City, Country and Outback that has exhibited its commitment to making the most positive impact of all. The story, the artistic leaps of faith that are made, the enthusiasm and teamwork of the students or the community spirit and initiative, are all taken into consideration. This awards is one that recognises that the true outcomes of Wakakirri can be found at school and within school communities. READ MORE ABOUT THE WAKAKIRRI PRIZE HERE

Judging Criteria - Wakakirri Story-Writing

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