Betty Behan and Gwen Cockell Writing Prizes

This year many students from Years 7 – 10 entered the Betty Behan and Gwen Cockell writing prizes.

The English Department were delighted to read so many powerful short stories and poems. Students should look out for their work in the LUX magazine released next year as we were able to include extracts from a number of the pieces.

The prize winners will be awarded at Speech Day. Their pieces will be published in full in LUX and can be read on Cognito.

The Betty Behan Memorial Short Story Prize – Junior was awarded to Sophia Barry in Year 8 for her piece ‘The Girl with a Cinnamon Cat.’ The story represents the power of friendship to inspire growth and renew our perceptions of the world. Sophia’s employment of motifs connected to the season of change, Autumn, help to add levels of meaning and sophistication to her work

Christine Chen (Year 8) and Madeleine Soo (Year 8) were both Highly Commended for this prize for their evocative short stories.

The Betty Behan Memorial Short Story Prize – Senior was awarded to Samara Foulds in Year 10 for her piece “The Masquerade.'” Her thoughtful and poignant writing infuses questions about identity and family with humour and care.

We had many impressive entries this year and Nicola Allen (Year 10), Ruby Cooney (Year 10) and Helena Piazza (Year 10)  were all Highly Commended for this prize.

The Gwen Cockell Prize for Creative Writing was awarded to Christine Chen (Year 8) for her powerful and provocative poetry.

Nicola Allen (Year 10), Tia Hunt (Year 9) and Luella Smith (Year 10)  have been Highly Commended for their evocative pieces.

Thank you to all of the students who shared their work. We are very proud of all of our writers.

Jenny Bean
English Teacher