Five talented young pupils at Wolumla Public School have been applauded for their creative writing prowess.
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Last term, children across all grades at the small school worked through lesson modules on poetry, discussing styles, structure and terminology.
They were then tasked with putting those lessons into practice in creating their own poem to be presented and shared during a visit to the school by parents and grandparents.
As well as their creative writing, the pupils were judged on their performance in front of their schoolmates and family members, with a winner from each year group named just ahead of the recent school holidays.
Winners were Hamish Kettle (Kindergarten), Nathaniel Stewart (Year 1-2), Harlow Love (2-3), Heidi Summerell (4-5) and Indi Myhill (5-6).
Heidi said she had enjoyed working on poetry throughout the term, learning about styles such as haikus and limericks.
"Then for the competition we had free choice on what type of poem to write," she said.
"Ours had to be about a place, with eight lines. I based mine on the beach."
For Indi and her Year 5-6 classmates, they were tasked with creating a funny poem of four stanzas.
"It was based on pictures we had in class and I used internal rhyme," she added.
Indi said it was a picture of a mother duck and her ducklings wearing life jackets that caught her eye.
"We've done a lot of work with poetry this year. I felt more comfortable with funny poems - everyone likes laughing.
"I'm really proud of my effort."
However she added that performing her poem in front of the school was "nerve-wracking".
Young Hamish was clearly proud of his "cinquain poem", a five-line piece on dragons, complete with illustrations!
Meanwhile, Harlow said having a free choice on topic and style was also fun.
Her piece on ninjas was "dark and mysterious" and "very sensory" - "I really enjoyed it. [Writing poetry] helps me relax."
Nathaniel said he was "really surprised" to be have named the winner of his class group.
"I didn't think I would be called up," he said.
Each of the winners received a principal's award and will get their poem framed. All the schoolchildren's poems are being collated in a book for parents and grandparents as well.
SUMMER SUNSHINE - Heidi Summerell
I feel the water splash on my face. I taste the salty sea as we race.
I see the sand on my feet as I hop out of the warm ocean.
I hear the enormous waves crash wildly like they're yelling a story.
I am an oven on a heated summer day.
The horrible stench of seaweed fills the air as it piles up on the beach.
Hot, heated and having a good time.
What a wonderful day it is one I won't forget.
DRAGON - Hamish Kettle
Scaly tail. Flying.
Fire-breathing. Roaring.
Makes me feel strong.
Beast.
DUCKLING IN A VEST - Indy Myhill
Have you ever heard of something so absurd?
A teeny tiny bird looking like a nerd.
It was the third little bird who always preferred
To wear a miniature vest tied tightly to his chest.
Unlike all the rest the poor duckling had a broken wing.
For he tried on a ring to give himself some bling,
To make him look like a king, ka-ching!
I wonder where he got that adorable life jacket.
And look at him now, he's causing such a racket.
He fell down a hill with very little skill.
He hit his bill on a mill and caused a radioactive spill.
I can't believe my eyes,
He's grown twice the size.
And its tiny little vest,
Flew right off its chest.
WHALE BONE - Nathaniel Stewart
Bone was heavy,
White as snow.
A fallen tree on its side,
Left on the beach.
Separated from its family,
Frantically worried.
Looking for safety,
Nothing to find.
Long lost bone,
Taken tongue.
Remembered its family,
Buried in the sand.
NINJAS - by Harlow Love
I see the darkness emerging.
I hear wind howling in my ears.
I smell evil around me. I feel someone watching me in the night.
I taste the sword swiping against my mouth.