The creative talents of local primary school children have been recognised in a special competition organised by the Mayor of Colchester to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War 1
Schools were invited to submit pupils’ artwork and poetry on the theme of the Great War, for the chance to win book or art tokens.
A panel of judges, including author Liz Trenow, Sally Shaw, the Director of Firstsite, and the Mayor, picked the winners from many excellent entries.
The equal 1st prize for the best artwork was awarded to Erin Ellis, a pupil at St George's New Town Junior School, and 4-year-old Micaiah Wensong, who attends St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, for their colourful paintings of poppies.
A special award for a combined poem and papier-mâché sculpture was won by Connor and Kienan Stapleton, students at St Michael's Primary.
The poetry prize was won by Sami, a pupil at Parson's Heath Primary school, for a poem entitled ‘The Bullet’ – with Krystal Glasgow, of St George's, and Josef Maguire, of St Teresa's, selected as runners-up.
The winners have been invited to receive their prize from Liz Trenow at a Civic Reception in the Moot Hall, after Sunday’s Remembrance Service, when all of the winning entries will also be displayed.
The Mayor of Colchester, Cllr Peter Chillingworth, said: “All of the judges were captivated to see how much work and talent had gone into creating some really eye-catching art and thought-provoking poetry.
“Even though the First World War ended one hundred years ago, the experience of those who fought and died in the conflict continues to resonate down the generations and stir the imagination of young people today.
“War is terrible and its human costs always tragic – so I have been touched by how many of the entries managed to convey that awareness so well. It should give us all much-needed hope to think that our young people really do understand the importance of peace and reconciliation over hostility and hatred.”
Page last reviewed: 8 November 2018