Creative Writing category

Take a look at the winning entries, special merit awards and those highly commended in the Bullying-Free NZ Awards 2017, Creative Writing category.

Winner: Jessica Ecroyd, Columba College

Senior (Years 9-13)

First Punch

An arresting piece of writing that strongly communicates how it feels to be a target of bullying. From Jessica Ecroyd, Year 10, Columba College, Dunedin.

Winner: Katie McMillan, St Leonard's School

Junior/Intermediate (Years 0-8)

Bystander

An impressive and perceptive poem that clearly portrays the emotions and dilemma of the bystander. From Year 5 student Katie McMillan, St Leonard's School, Dunedin.

Special Merit Award: James Overton, Casebrook Intermediate School

Junior/Intermediate group (Years 0-8)

An insightful piece of story-telling with a good structure and plot, and a positive and brave outcome.

Bullying

James woke up from his sleep and made his lunch for school. James is what you would call a social guy so he checked his phone to see what his friends were saying, and in the middle of school his friend Killian told him that his other friend Jason said some really nasty stuff about him. “Don’t you think James is quite dull?”, “I think he’s quite stupid,” as Killian read Jason’s texts he sent to him.

“Wow I really thought he was a good friend. It’s a shame he used to be really nice to me, he must’ve made some mean friends,” James explained.

The next day James checked his phone as usual and saw that Jason also put an embarrassing picture online without his permission. He checked the comments to see loads of mean comments and no nice ones. “Lol what an idiot,” Matt commented. “He shouldn’t be allowed to own a phone he’d crack every screen because he’s so ugly,” Lilly replied. After that James felt really down and whenever someone past him they would always laugh at him. James’s only friend was Killian. He was the only person other than his family that he could trust and talk to if he needed help.

So James went to Killian's house because he was feeling really upset. “There should be no reason for people to bully you, your so nice, anyway if it’s not a one time thing I’ll help ok but I’ve got to do my homework.”

James got home to see more mean messages but surprisingly some nice ones too. “Killian told me how nice and good a friend James is and I believe him so what’s the reason your bullying James,” Jack announced. “Thanks Jack I’ve been feeling really down and that really helps me,” James replied. Knowing that he still had some people that liked him he felt a bit better.

The next day James confronted Jason asking why he’s bullying him. “Because you're stupid and I don’t want to be your friend anymore,” Jason yelled. “What’s the REAL reason Jason? I want to know why so suddenly you decided you’re not my friend anymore,” James interrupted.

“Because that's what people did to me! Everyone bullied me so if it’s ok for people to bully me it’s ok for me to bully others,” Jason cried.

“Listen. First of all I’m your friend and second of all it’s not ok for anyone to bully anybody, you know how it feels to be bullied right?” James questioned Jason.

“Yea it feels bad,” Jason sobbed.

“So why would you want to make another person feel that pain?” James said.

“ I wasn’t thinking ok” cried Jason. “Wanna be friends again?” Jason asked.

“Yea I’d like that.”

So James stopped getting bullied by Jason, and James scrolled down to see loads of nice messages.

“He seems really funny.”

“How does he make that face? He’s really talented”...

“I think he looks stupid”...

“Here we go again” cried James.

By James Overton (Year 8)

Casebrook Intermediate School

Special Merit Award: Sabreen Badwal, Randwick Park School