What ‘wood’ you write? 12 April 2012
60 years in 60 words: what ‘wood’ you write?
Call for schools to enter national writing competition to celebrate Queen’s historic Diamond Jubilee
The Woodland Trust and its main sponsor Sainsbury’s are calling out to schools across the country to submit final entries to a unique writing competition celebrating the 60–year reign of Her Majesty The Queen. As part of the charity’s Jubilee Woods project, schoolchildren are being encouraged to put pen to paper and describe the life of a tree in just 60 words.
As a tie to Her Majesty’s time on the throne, children are being urged to let their imaginations run wild and describe what a tree may experience over a 60–year period – either over the past 60 years or in the next 60 years to come.
Two children will be ‘crowned’ as the ultimate national winners, and in addition to winning fabulous prizes courtesy of Sainsbury’s, their school will receive a literary master class with guest judge and renowned author William Fiennes. As bestselling author of The Snow Geese and The Music Room, Fiennes was The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year 2003. In a specially arranged workshop, he will share writing hints and tips with a select number of pupils at each of the winning schools.
In addition, the winning stories will be presented to the Queen by the Woodland Trust.
Schools throughout the UK have until 30 April 2012 to put forward their most creative and talented entries from Primary KS2 or Secondary KS3 classes for this prestigious tree–themed competition and winners will be announced ahead of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June.
As lead corporate sponsor of the Jubilee Woods project, Sainsbury’s will also be awarding prizes to all regional and national winning schools.
Graham Blight, head of people engagement at the Woodland Trust, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for children to think about trees and express in words the value they play in everyday life. This competition brings together literacy with history to engage schools and children in the wonders of woodland from a past and future perspective inspired by this momentous Diamond Jubilee year.”
Phil Carroll, Book Buying Manager and Schools Writing Judge, said: “This is a great way for children to think creatively and I look forward to seeing the entries. Sainsbury’s is particularly excited to be involved as we’ve already helped plant over 825,000 woodland trees since 2004 thanks to donations from sales of our Woodland eggs and chicken, and we hope even more children and adults will support woodland through our stores and the Active Kids scheme.”
How
to enter:
Schools are asked to hold a competition in school and submit the winning entry
to represent their school in the national writing competition. Further details can be found by visiting www.jubileewoods.org.uk/writing-competition
Schools can also apply for a free pack of trees as part of the Jubilee Woods project, each containing a Royal Oak sapling.
