The WriteStuff competition has celebrated young writers yet again as part of the Guernsey Literary Festival.

There were a record number of entries to the short story competition this year, with 1,566 submissions from 28 schools.

They each wrote an original 300-word story around the theme ‘The Letter’.

The young writers and their families gathered at St Pierre Park Hotel for a special awards ceremony during the Festival, where prizes were presented to the winners.

They had been chosen by this year’s judges; Jarvis, Lauren Child, Nathanael Lessore and Huw Lewis-Jones, who read the winning entries aloud during the ceremony

Competitor organiser Anne Wilkes-Green said it was a very special occasion.

“Every year we are amazed by the creativity and imagination shown by young people taking part in WriteStuff, and this year was no exception. The standard of entries was incredibly high.

“Huge congratulations to all of the winners, and thank you to every student who entered, along with the teachers and families who support the competition so brilliantly each year.”

First prize in the Primary category went to ‘Behind the Granite’ by Barnaby M who goes to Hautes Capelles School. Judge Jarvis praised its “thoughtful ending” and the way it balanced sadness, hope and reflection in just a few paragraphs.

The Intermediate winner was ‘The Letter’ by Lauren G who goes to Les Varendes High School.

Lauren Child said she loved how readers were “launched into this character’s world”, praising the beautiful way the story captured “the experience of having to throw your life into a bag and go”.

In the Senior category, first prize went to ‘The One He Never Read’ by Toby B of Elizabeth College. Nathanael Lessore described it as “real, with real emotional stakes”, praising the way it showed how war’s devastation reaches far beyond the battlefield.

The Additional Learning Needs winners were ‘A Giraffe and a Scarf’ by Lilly C of Blanchelande College in the junior section, and ‘The Letter’ by Lewis B of Les Voies School in the senior section.

Huw Lewis-Jones said Lilly’s story was “descriptive and transporting”, while Lewis’s winning piece was praised for its “evocative prose” and dramatic restraint.

Local illustrator Tim Gaudion was commissioned to create bespoke illustrations inspired by the winning stories, with first, second and third prize winners each receiving an original artwork based on their entry.

Category winners also received £50, a signed book and a trophy, with cash prizes for runners-up and third place.

The WriteStuff competition is sponsored by Julius Baer, with support from local partners including U&Us, Island Families, the Guille-Allès Library and Aurigny.

Alexandra McInnes, Managing Director of Julius Baer Guernsey, said: “We were delighted to support WriteStuff  again this year and to be part of celebrating such a fantastic competition. It was particularly special to see the winners receive their prizes in person and for them to meet the inspiring panel of judges.

“We are proud to support a competition that celebrates writing and gives a platform to the next generation of local writing talent.”

All winning and highly commended entries can be viewed on the WriteStuff website.

Full list of winners

Primary (Years 3-6)

  • 1st: Behind the Granite – Barnaby M ( Hautes Capelles School)
  • 2nd: The Magic Letter – Katy L (Home Schooled)
  • 3rd: _The Letter Between World_s – Josh C (Blanchelande College)
  • Highly Commended: Letter – Dylan P ( Hautes Capelles School)
  • Highly Commended: The Flying Letter – Madeline L ( Castel School)
  • Highly Commended: Lottie’s Secret – Eliza H ( St Martin’s School)
  • Highly Commended: _Return to Sende_r – Henry H (Vauvert School)
  • Highly Commended: The Letter that Changed Everything – Lottie C (Year 4, Blanchelande College)

Intermediate (Years 7-9)

  • 1st: The Letter – Lauren G (Les Varendes)
  • 2nd: A Guernseyman’s Hope – Freddie B ( Elizabeth College)
  • 3rd: So Do You Remember Now? – Adele H (The Ladies’ College)
  • Highly Commended: When I’m Older – Malie R (Les Beaucamps)
  • Highly Commended: The Officer – Emily G ( Elizabeth College)
  • Highly Commended: Pappy – Grace C (St Anne’s School)
  • Highly Commended: The Countdown – Lola C ( Blanchelande College)
  • Highly Commended: Don’t Panic – Beatrix B ( Elizabeth College)

Senior (Years 10+)

  • 1st: The One He Never Read – Toby B (Elizabeth College)
  • 2nd: Hamartia – Jane V (St Sampson’s High School)
  • 3rd: Polar Opposites – Emily L (St Sampson’s High School)
  • Highly Commended: Sea Escape – Chloe G (St Sampson’s High School)
  • Highly Commended: The Letter – Kayson L (St Sampson’s High School)
  • Highly Commended: A Tale Now Told – Millie S (St Sampson’s High School)
  • Highly Commended: O – Mary-Anne C (Elizabeth College)
  • Highly Commended: Marching with Ghosts, Guided by Ink – Pippa S (The Ladies’ College)

Additional Learning Needs – Junior

  • 1st: A Giraffe and a Scarf – Lilly C (Blanchelande College)
  • Highly Commended: Palmer Saves the Ballon d’Or – Jace L (Le Rondin School)

Additional Learning Needs – Senior

  • 1st: The Letter – Lewis B (Les Voies School)
  • Highly Commended: The Letter – Carlisle G (Les Voies School)