Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698836901539.pdf (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
Share your ideas, celebrate your story and write for a better world The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is the world’s oldest schools’ international writing competition, established in 1883.

With thousands of young people taking part every year, it is an important way to recognise achievement, elevate youth voices and develop key skills through creative writing.

THEME AWARDS A CONNECTED COMMONWEALTH A Connected Commonwealth highlights the shared values, interests and experiences across the network.
It calls on young people to consider the potential of the Commonwealth in strengthening the vast and varied links between citizens.

ENTER BY 1 JUNE 2019 One Winner and Runner-up will be chosen from each category.

Winners and Runners-up will be flown to London for a week of educational and cultural events, culminating in a special Awards Ceremony.

A number of Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards will be given in both the Senior and Junior categories, rewarding excellence in writing.
All entrants will receive a Certificate of Participation.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary group of 53 countries, based on the shared English language and the key values of democracy, equality, human rights and the rule of law.

CATEGORIES STARTER ACTIVITIES SENIOR CATEGORY Born between 2 June 2000 and 1 June 2005 (14-18 years of age) 1.

‘You are the most optimistic, connected generation the world has ever known.’ HRH The Duke of Sussex.

How can you use Commonwealth connections for positive change?

2.
2.

Connected by the oceans; can we work together to protect the environment?

3.

‘We are all now connected by the Internet’ – Stephen Hawking.

What does the future hold for humankind?

4.

Family, Community, Nation, Commonwealth.

What are the opportunities for shared, sustainable growth?

JUNIOR CATEGORY Born on or after 2 June 2005 (under 14 years of age) 1.

My cultural connections.

2.

An overseas visitor is coming to your town for the first time.

How would you connect with them?

3.


A place I feel connected to.

4.

The Commonwealth connects people across borders – what can we learn from our neighbours?

GIVE ME FIVE!

To help children plan stories and identify key plot points 1.

Start with a closed hand.

Pick a story the child knows well and explain it to them in 5 key points, open one finger each time you start a new point.

2.

Help the child plan their story: What will happen?

Who is in the story?

How will it end?

3.


Ask them to share their own story outline using the same method you did.

Each time they start a new point, raise a finger.

4.

Encourage them to use words like ‘First..’, ‘Then..’ and ‘Finally...’to create a clear structure.

SPARK A STORY To encourage imagination and consider different perspectives 1.

Show the child pictures of people in different cities across the Commonwealth.

2.

Ask the child to imagine they live in those cities.
What do we have in common?

What might be difficult?

What would be the best part?

3.

Consider what future life might be like in that city and in your city – will the challenges be the same?

4.

Write a story based on these observations.

It could be from both perspectives, maybe as witnessed by a bird flying over both countries...
GUIDELINES • • Nationals and residents of all Commonwealth countries and territories aged 18 and under are eligible to enter the competition, including entrants from The Maldives and Zimbabwe.

Residents of non-Commonwealth countries whose entries are submitted through their local RCS branch are also eligible.

• • • All entries must be in English.


Entrants are asked to present their work in the format that best conveys their message, be that an essay, poem, story, folk tale, script, letter, diary entry, monologue or other written style.

Photos and drawings are encouraged, particularly in the Junior Category.

Full terms and conditions are available at www.thercs.org/competition.
competitions@thercs.org www.thercs.org/competition @CWEssayComp /CWEssayComp The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is run by The Royal Commonwealth Society.