Post your class entry to:
The 'What's The Story?' Challenge
PO Box 11202
Freepost
Dublin 1
On the top left hand corner of the envelope write your sender details:
- Category
- School Name
- School Address
Are all your stars ready to shine through the 2009 International Year of Astronomy?
This years challenge is for students to write a story together as a class. In this way, the competition caters for students of all abilities. What’s more, there are categories for all ages, including junior classes and special needs students.
In keeping with An Post’s national focus on literacy issues and mindful of the success of last year’s Education Awards, where a record number of schools participated, this year’s programme is sure to appeal to all your little stars! To celebrate the 2009 International Year of Astronomy, we are taking on an astronomical theme and once again offering your pupils the opportunity to work together as a class on the ‘What’s the Story? Challenge’.
Once again this year we have got fantastic regional and national prizes for students, teachers and schools, so please be sure to encourage all your classes to take part.
Our friends in Astronomy Ireland are sharing their expert knowledge with us, and the enclosed teacher’s workbook will guide you through the planets and stars.
Competition Categories
- Art Competition: Category One is open to Junior Infants, Senior Infants and First Class.
- Story Writing: Category Two is open to Second Class, Third Class and Fourth Class. Story Writing: Category Three is open to Fifth and Sixth Class.
Category 1 – Art
Based on the opening paragraphs provided, children must create a simple picture book as a class. Children may use materials of their choice (crayons, pencils, markers, paints, magazine and newspaper cut-out collages, coloured fabrics, etc.). There are no restrictions on the techniques that may be used to complete the picture. The class teacher will select the five pictures that best represent the story, along with a cover design to submit as the class entry. Only these six art pieces will be accepted per class entry.
- Category 1 is an Art Competition and is open to all children attending Junior Infants, Senior Infants and Special Needs Classes.
Category 2, 3 and 4 – Story Writing
Students, as a class, can create a story to reflect the themes given in the school resource pack. The class entry must be written in clear handwriting, either by a teacher or student and must be completed on the manuscript provided in the school resource pack. Each class entry must include details of the School name, address, telephone number, school principal, class teacher and class level.
- Category 2 is a Story Writing Competition and is open to all children attending First Class or Second Class.
- Category 3 is a Story Writing Competition and is open to all children attending Third Class or Fourth Class.
- Category 4 is a Story Writing Competition and is open to all children attending Fifth Class or Sixth Class.
Prizes
Overall Winners School Prize
Each overall winning class will receive a cash prize of €750 and a crystal trophy for their school
Overall Winners Class Prize
Each winning class will also receive a prize in recognition of each pupil’s good work:
Category 1
(Junior Infants, Senior Infants and Special Needs Classes)
Awards Ceremony and an individual memento for each pupil.
Category 2 (First and Second Class)
Awards Ceremony and an individual memento for each pupil.
Category 3 (Third and Fourth Class)
Awards Ceremony and an individual memento for each pupil.
Category 4 (Fifth and Sixth Class)
Awards Ceremony and an individual memento for each pupil.
PRINCIPAL AND TEACHER PRIZES
Each overall winning class will also win a prize of a €200 One4all® Gift Card for their School Principal and for their Teacher.
The One4all® Gift Card is the ultimate in flexibility. It is a multi-store Gift Card that can be presented as full or part payment for merchandise or services at any Retail Partner listed in the One4all® Gift Card Directory. With the One4all® Gift Card, you can enjoy a day shopping, jet off on holiday, indulge in some pampering or redecorate your home... the choice is yours.
Shortlisted entries
Two entries will be shortlisted within each category. The shortlisted runner-up entry in each category will receive:
- A Certificate of Merit
- A cash prize of €300 for the class
- A memento for each child
Rules and Regulations
- The competition promoter is An Post. The competition is open to children attending Primary Schools in the Republic of Ireland on 19th January 2009.
- Children entering Category 1 (Art) must be attending Junior Infants, Senior Infants or a Special Needs Class on 19th January 2009.
- Children entering Category 2 (Story writing) must be attending First or Second Class on 19th January 2009.
- Children entering Category 3 (Story writing) must be attending Third or Fourth Class on 19th January 2009.
- Children entering Category 4 (Story writing) must be attending Fifth or Sixth Class on 19th January 2009.
- Each entry must be completed on the manuscript provided. Entries to categories 2, 3 and 4 must be a minimum of 300 words and a maximum of 800 words.
- Entries should be sent back by either using the prepaid envelopes provided, or by Freepost, to: What’s the Story? Challenge, PO Box 11202, Freepost, Dublin 1.
- Each completed manuscript (included in the resource pack) must include full entry details for each category.
- Entries must be completed in the English or Irish language.
- One manuscript per entry and one entry per class only will be accepted. Please photocopy more sheets if required. By entering the competition, entrants agree to be bound by the rules. An independent panel of judges will be selected to judge the entries for Categories 1, 2, 3 and 4. The judges’ decisions are final. No correspondence will be entered into.
- Entries will not be returned, please keep an extra copy for the school file. Entries must be received by An Post no later than 6th March 2009.
Story starters and entry forms