Young writers from across the island were celebrated at this year’s WriteStuff Awards following a record year of entries to the short story competition, with 1,566 submissions from 28 local schools.

WriteStuff invites children and young people to create an original 300-word story around a chosen theme. This year’s theme was The Letter.

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

This year’s judges were Jarvis, Lauren Child, Nathanael Lessore and Huw Lewis-Jones, who brought the winning entries to life during the ceremony by reading them aloud.

Competitor organiser Anne Wilkes-Green said: “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 (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 (Les Varendes). 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.    

This year, 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. Supporting the main judging panel were a team of experienced filter judges, including Julia Bichard and Adam Bayfield from the Guille-Allès Library, retired English teachers Maz Campbell and Sue Williams-Smith, and creative education specialist Suzie Almond, who brings experience from judging BBC 500 Words and Settle Stories competitions.

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.”