Read the fabulous, funny and emotional tales from this year’s short story winners

From tales of adventure and exploration to overcoming challenges and dealing with technology overload, this year’s Kids News short story competition entrants truly captured the spirit of the times.

Renowned children’s author and competition judge Jackie French helped choose this year’s winners from 400 entries in the Kindergarten to Year 9 national competition, run by Kids News and publisher HarperCollins.

“This year we’re seeing a great deal of originality. In previous years we’ve had some brilliant ideas but it was very rare to find a story with a coherent structure with the very, very young kids,” said Ms French.

“Yes, a brilliant imagination is something you’re born with and can be fostered, but to build a coherent story requires teaching by parents and teachers and reading books. They are learning the skill of writing a professional story that readers will enjoy … building a story towards an unexpected conclusion.”

Kids News editor Diana Jenkins was also impressed with the children’s creativity in building a solid story, often around complex issues.

“I couldn’t get over the number of times there was a surprise at the end, a satisfying resolution. The amount of effort that went into structuring some of these stories I just thought was outstanding.”

For the second consecutive year, Lucas Wong, 10, a Year 6 student from Chatswood Public School took out the Year 5-6 category, this time for his story, Human Body Parts Replacement Guide.

Lucas, who prefers to read nonfiction books, particularly about robots and AI, said the storyline came to him while he was gaming.

“ I like playing video games like Mario (Super Mario Bros) and you get these power-ups, and I thought it would be so useful if I had this power in real life, I could destroy my dad in running. So I thought, ‘how could I make this more unique’, and I came up with exchanging body parts to power-up.”

Preston Primary School in Victoria were successful as a cohort, with Finn Christou-Lloyd taking out the top prize in the Kindergarten-to-Year 2 division, while classmate Adeline Seddon was highly commended and Gillian Goswell Ries and Rosie Madden were shortlisted. 

“I was so proud of all the students that entered into the Kids News Writing Competition. Finn and Adeline have both worked especially hard to incorporate everything they have learnt in writing sessions to produce engaging, well structured and creative writing pieces,” said their teacher Vikki White.

“Writing creatively is so important for young people as a platform to be able to express themselves, organise their ideas and connect with their peers.”

Aditya Paul, 12, from Sydney Grammar School won the Year 7-9 category with his dystopian submission, The Picnic, and offers some sage advice for students who didn’t make the winning list.

“Although it can be disheartening sometimes, I would probably say that a writing competition is the best thing I could possibly lose at. Every story I write broadens my portfolio, and I often receive feedback as well. I’m always motivated by the thrill of submitting, and knowing that my work is always going to be better than last time.”

Aditya is unsure about what the future holds at this young stage, but great things await.

“If there are any vacancies for an engineer-linguist-author-programmer-doctor, please let me know. However, I do relish the idea of writing for a living, and it is very near the top of my list … I am not ruling out anything yet.”

The winners receive 10 copies of their short story published into a printed book with a personally designed cover, an iPad and a HarperCollins book pack valued at $100. The runners-up also win a HarperCollins book pack valued at $100, while those who were highly commended win a $50 HarperCollins book pack.

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Kinder-Year 2

Winner Finn Christou-Lloyd, Preston Primary School, Something Fishy

From the judges: “The idea of diving into a washing machine at a laundromat is irresistible, as was the school of sock fish and the creepiness of them capturing the protagonist in a cage. As for Soctopus – it’s clever to create creatures made of ordinary washing items.”

Runner up Fredrik Shanahan, St Kilda Park Primary School, My Cat Purrseus

From the judges: “Named for the brave Ancient Greek mythical figure Perseus who beheads Medusa, this is a charming tale of a beloved new pet and its favourite things to do. I think it is more a sweet nonfiction piece than a creative writing one.”

Highly Commended

• Clara Doyle, Flinders Christian Community College Carrum Downs, Pip and the Backwards Day
• Ari Johnson, St Kilda Park Primary School, The Two Not Magical Magicians and the one very Magical Magician
• Adeline Seddon, Preston Primary School, The Ant Tree

Shortlisted

• Lachlan Richards, Oakhill Drive Public School, Mr Evilbut and the Doos
• Kiewa Sehgal, Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School, The Polar Bear and Fairy
• Georgia Thorn, Brisbane School of Distance Education, Gigi the Giraffe
• Gillian Goswell, Preston Primary School, Ries Willa’s Wonderful Adventure
• Rosie Madden, Preston Primary School, Skull Adventure

Year 3-4

Winner Hazelle Marwaha, Flinders Christian Community College, Carrum Downs, The Wishing Well

From the judges: “A cautionary tale of getting what you wish for. The author does a good job of building the drama.”

Runner up Lila Mertono, Rosanna Golf Links Primary School, Wings

From the judges: “The accent of Albus the sorcerer is skilfully handled … He sounds like Hagrid! I really liked the balanced wing theory.”

Highly Commended

• Oliver Sukamto, Robertson State School, Goodbye Olive
• Ruiyan Weng, Rose Park Primary School, The Cottage of Glorious Desserts
• Terrence Li, Sunnybank Hills State School, The Polar Expedition

Shortlisted

• Stephanie Ding, Murray Farm Public School, Lynette’s Flight
• Mia Castro, Chilwell Primary School, Billie and Daisy
• Alexandra Riquelme, Plenty Parklands Primary School, Huxley and I
• Scarlett Francois, Bargara State School, Charlie the Crocodile’s First Day at School

Year 5-6

Winner Lucas Wong, Chatswood Public School, Human Body Parts Replacement Guide

From the judges: “This is clever, original and the ending is very satisfying. The two hands fighting is just very funny and vivid – I really enjoyed this story and it grabbed my attention immediately.”

Runner Up Ariana Fais, Shelford Girls’ Grammar, Shauna’s Story

From the judges: “This is an ambitious story about PTSD, multi-generational storytelling and compassion. For a primary school story, it shows some real depth of thought and feeling.”

Highly Commended

• Ludwin Tarvand, Templestowe Heights Primary School, Smart Phone War
• Thomas Andrews, Alexandria Park Community School, The Island
• Amelie Albury, Camden South Public School, A Stitched Past

Shortlisted

• Evie Roberts-Critchley, St Roch’s Primary School, A Little Too Curious
• James Yan, Ascot Vale Primary School, Getting Lost

Year 7-9

Winner Aditya Paul, Sydney Grammar School, The Picnic

From the judges: “Oh, what a surprising twist. I was enjoying this extremely well-structured story, broken into precise scenes with great skill from the opening line. Also it feels like the author is having fun, there is joy and skill here, which is a pretty compelling combination in my book.”

Runner up Arwa Binte Mohammad, Brisbane School of Distance Education, The Croissants at the End of the Universe

From the judges: “The moment when the protagonist cries ‘It’s just I always feel so lost all the time!’ really hit me. Looking for answers and failing to find them is something we can all relate to.

Highly Commended

• Mia Lai, Barker College, A Light in the Dark
• Milandra Barnard, Wesley College, The Wood’s Secret
• Katie Delaney, Brisbane School of Distance Education, Overcoming Anxiety