10 Nov 2016
In 2016, SSPAN (Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention and Awareness Network) held its inaugural Young Writers' Award focused on the topic "Learn and Grow". The organisation identified two aims for the competition: "One is our hope to inspire creative writing that focuses on positive resilience and well-being messages to share with the community. The ‘Learn and Grow' message is also about reducing the stigma that often surrounds mental health and encouraging help seeking behaviours. The other aim is to recognise and foster the talent of our own young writers."
A number of Shoalhaven High School's talented writers participated in the competition and we were delighted to find four of our students were named finalists in the senior sections for both prose and poetry. The presentation afternoon hosted by Shoalhaven City Library was held to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month in October.
We are proud to announce that Elisha Wright Smith and Renae Weymans received first prize in the categories of prose and poetry respectively, while Alyson Green was awarded second prize in the poetry category and Joanne Tye rounded out the awards placing equal third in the poetry category.
Congratulations to the girls on their success and thank you to all those students who participated in the competition. We look forward to next year's Award.
Miss Bailey