Bill Coppell Young Writers’ Award winners

Seven SJC students were recently awarded prizes in the highly competitive Bill Coppell Young Writers’ Award.

The 2012 awards attracted hundreds of entries from students in independent, Catholic and government schools, including a number of selective schools. This year St Joseph’s College submitted a record number of nominations and, for the first time, prizes were awarded to SJC students across all three divisions.

Head of English, Mr Matthew Bentley, who attended the awards evening with the boys, said the high participation rate and excellent results were wonderful. “It is especially pleasing to see so many of our boys receiving prizes and reflects the depth of quality writing taking place across the College,” he said.

The competition, now in its 23rd year, was judged by a panel of professional writers: popular children's author Duncan Ball; playwright Justin Flemming; local author Pam Newton; writer, editor and TV presenter Lachlan Jobbins; and celebrated author William Kostakis. At the presentation evening, held at Stanton Library in North Sydney, North Sydney Mayor Ms Genia McCaffrey said there had been a record number of entries for boys in this year’s competition. She also commented on the diverse range of themes explored in student writing and on the high calibre of entries received in both poetry and prose fiction.

Year 12 student Maxwell Hall was runner-up in the senior division for his compelling short story, North in Autumn, while Tim Wang (Y8) and Joshua Agostino (Y8) placed third in their respective divisions. In the senior division, Oliver Coorey (Y12), Henry Maher (Y12) and James Quinn (Y12) received Merit Awards which placed them in the top six entries in the competition.

Mr Bentley congratulated the boys on their achievements.

RESULTS SUMMARY

13 years: Commended - third place

Joshua Agostino for More Time

 

14-15 years: Commended - third place

Tim Wang for Such is life

Merit Awards

Joshua Smyth for Revenge

17-18 years: Highly Commended - second place

Maxwell Hall for North in Autumn

 

Merit Awards

Oliver Coorey for Diminuendo

Henry Maher for The Good Samaritan

James Quinn for Alone