The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) invites all Grade 4 learners in the province to enter the 2023 Story Stars essay competition.
Launched three years ago, Story Stars is an animated short film created by using stories written and narrated by Grade 4 learners of the Western Cape. It details the adventures of the characters Felix and Felicity, and the entrants of the competition expand the storyline with their ideas.
The department says the idea behind the competition is to get learners excited about creative writing and the opportunities it can bring.
“By having an animated version of the story, learners can really see their stories come to life,” provincial Education Minister David Maynier pointed out.
“In a survey of a class of Grade 4 learners in 2019 it was evident their interests lay in watching cartoons and becoming YouTube stars!
“The WCED decided to create a competition that encouraged reading and creative writing, one that could ultimately result in an animated film – written, narrated and starred in by the winner themselves.
“Grade 4 teachers are encouraged to help their learners read the story booklet, which has been provided to schools, watch the animation film and then finish the story by including themselves as a character.
“Teachers have been provided with a matrix to assist them with marking the creative story and must please submit the winning entry from their class to the department by 14 April 2023.”
Maynier said, in addition to writing, starring in and narrating the video, this year’s Story Stars winner also received a tablet, book bag and branded stationery.
