Learning in the Library

In Term 3 the library held the Santa Sabina Creative Writing Narrative Competition. The students were asked to write a creative piece set in a library with a word limit of between 300-500 words in any genre of their choosing. The competition was judged by accomplished authors Dr Richardson and Ms Marchetta.

At Tuesday’s assembly, the following six students were presented with certificates and $25 gift vouchers from Dymocks for their award-winning pieces. 

Gioia House:  Annabelle Lee and Shaanvi Lahiri
Years 7-9:  Alicia Bouantoun and Julie Le
Years 10-11: Emily Guerreiro and Kate Pitman-Fernandez

Below is a snapshot of their evocative writing.

I inhaled the typical fumes of the library, the pages of books, the rose scented candle at the front desk that no one bothers to light up and the smell of old, dusty bean bags.
Annabelle Lee
Year 5

As she stared at the drawing, the phoenix’s feathers started to pop out of the page. Followed by the phoenix! It soared up higher and higher till the domed ceiling, and swooping back down and landing on the book. Alice just stared in pure shock and amazement.
Shaanvi Lahiri
Year 6

******************

It urges me inside, shielding me from the outside. I stand there idle, breathing in the precious, crisp, earthy smell of books.
Alicia Bouantoun
Year 7

Fear permeated her body, dust smudging her porcelain skin. Her eyes full of indescribable fear. Footsteps stomped up the stairs, accompanied by gruff German voices. She shrank into her shell, hoping they wouldn’t see her small frame and gold-spun hair.
Julie Le
Year 7

******************

The walls were covered with shapes. Each crack was careful, sharp and deliberate, sliced through the plaster like they were cut with the blade of a scalpel.
Emily Guerreiro
Year 11

It was a library, before it was strangled by vines, before the water seeped through its walls, before the fungus bloomed across the walls.
Kate Pitman-Fernandez
Year 11

We congratulate them on their outstanding creative pieces and look forward to their continued writing success.

Melina Marchetta 
Teacher Librarian  

Susan Lombardo
Head of Library (5-12)