Blossom Street PS learner takes the 2022 Story Stars title!
21 February 2023
Umar Jones, a learner from Blossom Street Primary School is the 2022 Story Stars winner. His story has now been included in the next instalment of “Story Stars: The adventures of Felix and Felicity”, which now includes Umar as a character alongside Felix and Felicity.
Story Stars is an annual creative writing competition for all Grade 4 learners in the Western Cape.
It features Felix and Felicity and their ongoing adventures, along with other exciting characters. The stories come directly from the creative minds of our Western Cape Grade 4 learners, with new characters being introduced each year, taking us to wild and imaginative places.
The winner of the competition has the chance to narrate and star in their own story. This is animated and included in an ongoing film about the adventures of Felix and Felicity, which is introduced to the new cohort of Grade 4 of learners each year.
The Story Stars film can be viewed at: https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/story-stars
Umar was approached discreetly at the end of last year, so that we could record his voice for the animated film that was revealed today.
Umar follows in the footsteps of our 2020 Story Stars winner from Philadelphia Primary School, Keschrie Booysen, and our 2021 winner, Xia Du Toit from Laerskool Mikro, in the Story Stars hall of fame!
“Umar’s story – Battling the Bully! – has a unifying and important message about bullying. It was also very creative, with new imaginative characters such as ‘Ashtastic’ the flying unicorn, which the animators were very excited to animate. Felix is also seen rapping for the first time!,” said Minister David Maynier.
“But importantly, the story was also chosen because of Umar’s use of the correct punctuation, spelling and vocabulary throughout his submission. Congratulations!”
Minister Maynier also congratulated his teacher, Ms Andrea Liddle, for inspiring her class to participate and produce such good creative writing skills, and his former principal, Mr Davids who has since retired.
This year, two other learners in the school were also placed in 5th and 6th place. Ms Liddle keeps producing these budding writers as the 2nd place winner from last year was also in her class!
“Well done also to our second and third place winners, Blair Davids from Northwood Primary School (2nd) and Kenzo Segals from Rietenbosch Primêr (3rd) for their wonderful stories,” said Minister Maynier.
Top 6 entries for 2022
After a lengthy adjudication process, the top 6 winning stories were selected:
|
District |
School |
Learner |
Teacher |
|
Metro Central |
Blossom Street Primary |
Umar Jones |
Mr A Liddle |
|
Metro South |
Northwood Primary |
Blair Davids |
Mr L Hendricks |
|
Cape Winelands |
Rietenbosch Primêr |
Kenzo Segals |
Mr Y Segals |
|
Metrol North |
Balvenie Primary |
Chesnay Petersen |
Ms A Baartman |
|
Metro Central |
Blossom Street Primary |
Nkaximlo Mandindi |
Ms A Liddle |
|
Metro Central |
Blossom Street Primary |
Talia Alexander |
Ms A Liddle |
2023 competition
The 2023 Grade 4 learners of the Western Cape can now write the next instalment of Felix and Felicity’s adventures. The idea behind the competition is to get learners excited about creative writing and the opportunities it can bring. By having an animated version of the story, learners can really see their stories come to life!
Grade 4 teachers are encouraged to help their learners read the story booklet which has been provided to schools, watch the animation film, and then finish the story by including themselves as a character.
Teachers have been provided with a matrix to assist them with marking the creative story and must please submit the winning entry from their class to the Department by 14 April 2023.
We can’t wait to see who our next Story Star will be!