In Chapel on Thursday 8th December in Chapel, we celebrated the outstanding quality of entries to the 2022-23 Literalily creative writing competition and, with anticipation building, announced this year's winners!

The themes set to inspire this year's creative writing entires were Everyday Life, Mirror, and Taking Flight and these led to collections of poetry and prose that often dealt with some hard-hitting themes.

Our professional judge, Beth Webb, noted that, ‘the subjects were tackled maturely and with excellent style and first-class use of grammar. The whole batch was very compelling, mature reading.’

‘I was impressed with the range of subject matter in this year’s entries. Many important issues were addressed: PTSD, war, cancer, body image, survival, all written with excellent technical skills.’

The English Department would like to thank everyone for their creative and mature approach to their writing – and encourage entries to national competitions throughout the year!

This year’s winning entries are:

Fourth Form – Poetry

Winner – Tabitha R (MIV)
Runner-up – Willa M (UIV)

Fourth Form – Prose

Winner – Theodora B (UIV)
Runner-up – Lily W (MIV)

Fifth Form – Poetry

Winner – Tied - Livia d C (LV) and Millie O (LV)
Runner-up – Eve M (LV)

Fifth Form – Prose

Winner – Livia d C (LV)
Runner-up – Sophia D (LV)

Sixth Form – Poetry

Winner – Izzy A (LVI)
Runner-up – Eliza E (LVI)

Sixth Form – Prose

Winner – Tied – Hannah C (LVI) and Eliza E (LVI)
Runner-up – Robin D (LVI)

The overall winning piece was Mirror, Mirror by Izzy A (LVI), which reimagines classic fairy tales, giving them a dark and creative twist.

All winning and runner-up pieces, as well as a selection of highly commended work, will be published in the next edition of the Literalily magazine, alongside some pieces of outstanding artwork.

Congratulations again to everyone who entered – it has been a pleasure to read your work.

Miss Julie Grant, Second in English and Editor of Literalily Magazine