This Term saw the launch of the SMC English Ambassadors. Our aim is for representatives from across the school to meet monthly and discuss how to maximise the potential of readers, writers and speakers at St Mary’s Calne.

The ambassadors per year group are:

LVI – Norah and Millie; UV – Emma and Stephenie; LV – Izzy and Theodora; UIV – Tabitha and Sophie; MIV – Ami and Laura; LIV – Ellie and Penny.

Last week, the LVI, UV and UIV ran a chapel covering upcoming writing competitions, books that were trending in their year groups, and an overview of this term’s theme for school magazine, Kaleidoscope, which is all things Y2K.

As part of chapel, and in an endeavour to demonstrate how easy it was to create ideas for writing competitions, we ran a school-wide writing workshop: girls were given a character, a setting and an item and had three minutes to come up with an idea! Here is a selection of their original and highly creative thoughts:

Eve, LV - Words: thief, supermarket, bottle of scent

I am not a thief. Management would not agree with that statement, but in my heart I know it is true. Yes, I will admit to 'taking advantage' of the perks of being a supermarket attendant, but really who is bothered by a few squirts of amber and pink liquids? Who else will appreciate the floral and woody and warm and vibrant scents of the perfume isle, if not I?

Bea, LVI - Words: twins, school, bottle of scent

The twins use the scent to smell like each other and there is absolutely no way to tell them apart. They use this to their advantage at school and each only attends the lessons they’re going to sit the exams for. 

Evie, UIV - Words: twins, lake, chess set 

There are twins but they have never met. One is born in the world above the lake, and one is born below. The chess set is their only connection.

Mimi, LVI - Words: hitchhiker, hotel, high heels

It was late at night, desperate to get home, Amy had both thumbs stuck out on the side of the street. She was terrified, her first-time being a hitchhiker. The only thing in her mind was to get to the hotel, not even a hotel at this point, anything. Just to be out of the woods was a dream in that moment. She was confused and didn't know how she ended up in the forest with this lovely gown and high heels. Finally, two lights were shown in the distance and grew brighter by the second.

Bea L, MIV - Words: twins, lake, chess set

Skating, feeling wind beneath my skates. A shove, and the ice cracked. Then a loud thud of wood as a chess set was thrown at my head by my twin. I fell. I fell through the ice…

Alice, UIV - Words: twins, farm, bottle of scent

The Smith Twins are very happy, they live on a large farm with their mother and father. But this farm is very special, it makes wonderfully scented bottles, each very different for the seasons.  

Finally, any encouragement that parents can give their daughters over the Christmas holidays] is much appreciated; we want girls to release their literary creations into the world. The English Department are here to support and will happily read and advise on any creative work produced.

A range of exciting competitions to consider for spring 2024 deadlines:

https://www.jal-foundation.or.jp/en/haiku/contest2023/

https://dauntbooks.co.uk/short-story-competition/

https://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/tower-poetry/enter-tower-poetry-competition

Mrs Rebekah Lord, Head of English