Entering The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition provides an excellent occasion for young Commonwealth citizens to share their thoughts and ideas on key global issues and have their hard work and achievement celebrated internationally. It is the world’s oldest international writing competition for schools, established in 1883 and with thousands of young people taking part each year, it is an important way to recognise achievement, elevate youth voices and develop key skills through creative writing.
For 2021 the Competition theme was Community in the Commonwealth. With the global spread of COVID-19, the lives of many Commonwealth citizens have been affected, though societies have come together. There have been stories of growth, community and hope over the past two years, ever since the pandemic struck.
This year a record-breaking 25,648 children entered The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2021 from every Commonwealth region and we are thrilled to announce that seven of those students, who entered from The GC School of Careers Secondary, were awarded with Silver and Bronze awards:
Silver Award: Elena Kyriacou and Vera Kyriacou
Bronze Award: Isavella Vasiliou, Maria-Christina Loumba, Christina Sofocleous, Nicoletta Makrides, Christina Paraskeva
Their teachers promoted the essay competition to their classes last year and encouraged their students to write to show their creative talents by exploring new ideas, considering their own connection to the Commonwealth, whilst fostering an empathetic and open-minded world view. It is the second year running that the school has endeavoured to promote literacy, expression and creativity through The QCEC.
Dr Emilios A Solomou, Vice Chair of RCS Cyprus, awarded the students on 27th October, 2021 and gave a short speech in recognition of their effort and outstanding performance:
“Dear students,
On behalf of RCS Cyprus, I would like to convey our warmest congratulations on your achievement in receiving an award for your essay. There were about 25,000 entries in the competition from a very large number of Commonwealth countries. You seven gained an award. This is quite an achievement, and you should feel proud of this. We are proud of you and certainly your School feels equally proud in the way you so excellently represented it.
You have shown that you have talent. Continue to write, express your ideas and make your presence felt. You can make a difference because “The pen is mightier than the sword.”
Congratulations once again”.
On behalf of RCS Cyprus, I would like to convey our warmest congratulations on your achievement in receiving an award for your essay. There were about 25,000 entries in the competition from a very large number of Commonwealth countries. You seven gained an award. This is quite an achievement, and you should feel proud of this. We are proud of you and certainly your School feels equally proud in the way you so excellently represented it.
You have shown that you have talent. Continue to write, express your ideas and make your presence felt. You can make a difference because “The pen is mightier than the sword.”
Congratulations once again.”
This post is also available in: English (Αγγλικά)