Atarhe and Willa (UV) were both selected from hundreds of entrants as winners in the Daunt Books Children’s Short Story Competition 2025. The organisers of the competition received hundreds of entries from talented young writers all over the world and were blown away by the creativity and breadth of their imaginations. 46 young writers from SMC were commended for their entries, receiving book token prizes to celebrate their work.

Atarhe and Willa’s entries were selected amongst the winning stories which will be published in an anthology, edited by celebrated author Hiba Noor Khan, author of ‘Safiyyah’s War’ and the forthcoming ‘The Line They Drew Through Us’, with cover design by illustrator Laura Carlin, author of ‘London, A History’.  Atarhe and Willa have been invited to a special launch event at Daunt Books in May to celebrate their publication of their stories. Huge congratulations to both girls on becoming published authors!

Meanwhile to sisters Matilda and Jemima (LIV and UIV) also recently enjoyed creative success in  the Devizes Eisteddfod Creative Arts Festival. The siblings were competing together in the same age category, but in true sisterly spirit, celebrated each other’s contributions and achievements.

In the Year 7-9 Short Story category, Jemima achieved Outstanding for her piece entitled ‘The Advent Calendar’, whilst Matilda was awarded Category Cup Winner for her beautiful story ‘Reflections’. Positions were reversed in the Year 7-9 Poetry prize, with Matilda’s verse poem ‘The Tempest’ – inspired by studying Shakespeare’s play last term at SMC – awarded Outstanding, and Jemima taking the cup for her lyrical verse ‘The Weeping Willow’.

Both girls also achieved accolades for their photography. In the Year 7-9 photo category, Jemima’s piece’ ‘Bruges’ was commended by the judges, whilst Matilda took the cup for her depiction of ‘Fjords’. The girls collected their awards at the weekend, and were able to see their work on display at the Devizes Library. 

Finally, Norah (UVI), not content with winning the Stepping into Stories Competition and being shortlisted in the Love Letters to London Prize last term, recently earned a place on the longlist of the prestigious Christopher Tower Poetry Competition. Run by Christ Church College Oxford, the prize attracted over 1700 entries this year, and Norah’s submission was one of those the judges most enjoyed, making it onto the longlist, as one of the top 5% of all competition entries.  

Huge congratulations to all our talented girls for their wonderful achievements! With lots more opportunities for our talented young scribblers coming up this term, we are delighted to be nurturing the next generation of bestsellers here at SMC!

Just a few forthcoming opportunities are listed below. Pupils can see Mrs Bruton for more details!

The Foyles Young Poets   Foyle Young Poets Award – The Poetry Society    
The Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize  The Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2025 | London Review Bookshop 
The Wilbur Smith Author of Tomorrow Competition Author of Tomorrow | Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation 
Oxford University Science in Verse Competition Poetry Competition - IF Oxford
Henrietta Banford Writing Competition 2025 Competition Details – The Branford Boase Award and The Henrietta Branford Writing Competition
Goldsmith Young Writer Competitions Young Writer Competitions | Goldsmiths, University of London
Henry Williamson Schools Writing Competition Schools' Writing Competition 2025
D H Lawrence Children’s Prize D.H. Lawrence Children's Prize: Writing Competition

Mrs Catherine Bruton, English Department and the Writers' Guild