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How the competition works

The Story writing competition is completely separate from the Growsmart spelling competition. This is a competition for individual learners, not teams. Only Growsmart learners are eligible to enter. Learners must write their story by hand in PEN (on the lined pages of their story book) and provide hand-drawn illustrations (on the blank pages) that match and enhance the text.

The minimum length of the story will differ per grade, as below. This is the MINIMUM length, but the learner is welcome to write more than the minimum.

Grade 4: 300 words
Grade 5: 400 words
Grade 6: 500 words

The cover must be creatively illustrated, as if it was a published book. The front cover must contain the author’s name and the title of the book. The back cover must contain a summary of the story. The first page of the book must contain the author’s name, school, grade and age.

All stories must be completed and handed in by the due date. The stories will be collected and judged according to criteria set by the WCED, based on the CAPS policy document for the Intermediate Phase.

Prizes

Twenty works will be selected for display at the Growsmart final in September. The prize value for the overall winners will be R30 000 in total.
1st place story book: R10 000
2nd place story kook: R8 000
3rd place story book: R4 000
Most creative story book: R4 000
1st place mentor: R2 500
2nd place mentor: R1 000
3rd place mentor: R500

Certificates

Each of the story writers receives a personalised Growsmart certificate, signed by both the Western Cape Education Department and Growthpoint Properties.

Growsmart final

Each finalist will receive a published book, bursary applications and a Growsmart medal.

Winning story writer

The first place winner will receive assistance with their future education to the value of R10 000, a published book and a Growsmart medal. Learners submit a wish list at the start of the competition and if they win, we will ensure that selected wishes are fulfilled. These often include the payment of school fees, new uniforms, computers, printers, books etc. They also receive trophies, medals, certificates and a number of other prizes, such as schoolbags, stationery and books.

The school will receive a roaming trophy engraved with their name on it. Published books will be given to the authors and the participating schools.

Winning mentor

The winning team mentor receives a shopping spree at one of the shopping centres owned by Growthpoint Properties to the value of R 2 500.

Second place

The second place winner will receive assistance with their future education to the value of R8 000, a published book and a Growsmart medal. The mentor receives a R1 000 shopping voucher.

Third place

The third place winner will receive assistance with their future education to the value of R 5 000, a published book and a Growsmart medal. The mentor receives a R 500 shopping voucher.

Most creative

The most creative story book winner will receive assistance towards their education to the value of R 4 000.

Published books

Frequently asked questions

Who can enter in the Story writing competition?

The Story writing competition is for participating Growsmart team members only. Each team member will receive a writing toolkit consisting of a planning book for notes and ideas, a nature study book for writing down the final story, as well as a dictionary and stationery. The stories must be written and illustrated by each team member, and the team mentors must return the completed story books by the deadline date.

What must the story be about?

There are various topics (which the mentors will be provided with). Each individual team member may choose any one of these topics.

How must the learners illustrate the book?

Learners must use the stationery in the writing toolkit (and any other personal stationery) to draw illustrations on the blank pages to match the storyline. They can freely use their imagination, creativity and innovation, but it must be their own work.

What is the deadline for the completed story books to be returned?

The completed story books, together with the planning books, must be returned by no later than the deadline date. The story and planning books of all three team members must be returned by the team’s mentor.

How will you select the best stories?

The Western Cape Education Department has developed specific criteria in line with the CAPS policy document for evaluating the stories. The evaluation matrix can be found in the documentation the mentors received. Judges from both the WCED and Growthpoint Properties will evaluate each of the story books received from the team members.

When will the winners be announced?

The winners of the Story writing competition will be announced at the Growsmart final in September.