Sydney Living Museums have launched an online photographic exhibition titled ‘A Thousand Words’ featuring 100 photographic images (between the 1880s to the 1980s) from its own collection and the State Archives and Records Authority of NSW see https://atwonline.com.au/.

As part of the exhibition, a writing competition for students between Years 7 to 10 has been developed where students choose one image from the collection and write a story inspired about it between 750-1000 words.

From the website:

The Judges are looking for:

• An interesting original story inspired by an image from the A Thousand Words exhibition.
• A story with links to a historical period or event relating to the chosen image.
• An accurate depiction of the relevant historical setting, including language, landscape, dress, names, dates, technology and other possible elements.
• Effective and accurate use of historical knowledge and vocabulary in the plot, story context and character dialogue.
• Effective use of English language to communicate a range of ideas, language forms and features, including appropriate pitch, pace and structure for the story, descriptive language, dialogue and punctuation.

There are two major prizes:

Stage 4 category (Years 7-8)

• One winner will receive $250 and a 12-month Sydney Living Museums Member Plus One membership (valued at $145)
• One runner-up will receive $100

Stage 5 category (Years 9-10)

• One winner will receive $250 and a 12-month Sydney Living Museums Member Plus One membership (valued at $145)
• One runner-up will receive $100

Entries close on 4 September and more information can be found from the competition website: https://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/writingcomp

For further assistance, please see Mr East or myself.

Fran Musico Rullo - HSIE Teacher