Philadelphia learner writes, narrates and stars in an animated film
Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education Western Cape
Would it not be every Grade 4 learner’s dream to write, narrate and star in an animated film?
Well, that’s exactly what happened to a talented Grade 4 learner from Philadelphia Primary School, Keschrie Booysen, who is the 2020 Story Stars essay competition winner.
Today, I visited Philadelphia Primary School to premiere the next instalment of “Story Stars: The adventures of Felix and Felicity”, which now includes Keschrie’s story and her as a character alongside Felix and Felicity.
Story Stars is an animated film created by using stories that were written and narrated by Grade 4 learners from the Western Cape. The film can be viewed and/or downloaded at https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/story-stars
2021 competition
The 2021 Grade 4 learners of the Western Cape can now write the next instalment of Felix and Felicity’s adventures.
Grade 4 teachers are encouraged to allow their learners to 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 using the learner booklets.
Teachers have been provided a matrix to assist them with marking the creative story and must submit the winning entry from their class to the WCED by 23 April 2021.
The idea behind the competition is to get learners excited about creative writing and the opportunities it can bring. In a survey of a class of Grade 4 learners in 2019, it was evident that their interests lay in watching cartoons and becoming YouTube stars! The WCED decided to create a competition which encouraged reading and creative writing, that could ultimately result in an animated film – written, narrated and starred in by the winner themselves.
2020 winners
Last year, hundreds of entries from schools were submitted, and after a lengthy adjudication process, the winning stories were selected.
1st place: “The last adventure in Shoe Land” by Keschrie Booysen – Philadelphia Primary – Metro North – Teacher: Elzanne Loubser
2nd place: “Green save the day!” by Kylie Muller – Mitchells Plain Primary – Metro South – Teacher: Mrs J Doman
3rd place: “Felix and Felicity the two adventurers” by Mibono Cekeshe – Laerskool Volschenk – Eden and Central Karoo – Teacher: J Lotter
4th place – “Imagination world” by Kristan Gabriels – AZ Berman Primary – Metro South – Teacher: Ms A Swail
5th place – “Sanitising Sarah saves the day” by Sarah Meyer – Sweet Valley Primary – Metro South – Teacher: Mrs Roslin Senogles
6th place – “The last adventure” by Jessica (unfortunately no further details were submitted)
7th place – “One crazy day” by Thomas Hudson – Paarl Boys’ Primary – Cape Winelands – Teacher: Mrs Jacobs
8th place – “Felix and Felicity Returns Home” by Joshua Barties – Liesbeeck Primary – Metro South – Teacher: Amy Opperman
9th place – “The great training adventure” by Ludwig Odendaal – Laerskool Volschenk – Eden Karoo – Teacher: J Lotter
10th place – “Candyland” by Melissa Wills – Sweet Valley Primary – Metro South – Teacher: Mrs Roslin Senogles
Prizes
In addition to writing, starring in and narrating the video, which will be watched by thousands of learners across the Western Cape, the Story Stars winner also received a tablet, book bag and branded stationery.
The winning school received a R10 000 transfer payment for learning and teaching support material and the teacher, a R2 000 gift voucher, book bag and stationery.
The 2nd and 3rd prize winners each received a tablet, book bag and stationery.
I would like to congratulate Keschrie, her committed and enthusiastic teacher, Ms Loubser, Philadelphia Primary School, and all the runner-up winners and schools for their achievement.
We encourage all Grade 4 teachers to show their classes the latest video and booklet, complete the next series and submit their winning stories.
We can’t wait to see who our next Story Star will be!
Media Enquiries:
Kerry Mauchline
Spokesperson to Minister Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape Ministry of Education
Kerry.Mauchline@westerncape.gov.za