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2 June 2023
Budding writers have shone the spotlight on inspirational women as part of a competition to mark International Women’s Day.
The unique competition, organised by Harrogate Ladies’ College for the second year running, attracted nearly 100 entries from primary school children across the area. Pupils wrote essays about incredible women ranging from grandmothers and teachers, to artists and sporting heroines.
Principal of the College, Mrs Sylvia Brett, said she had been deeply moved by the stories, which were exceptionally well written across the board.
The winning entrants, which included Year 3, 4 and 5 pupils, were invited to a special lunch at the school. College staff and former pupils read out the winning entries to assembled guests.
“We were inundated with responses and the competition has gone from strength to strength. The quality of the writing was simply breath-taking and showed a superb command of English.
We wanted to celebrate International Women’s Day and really shine the light on the people who have inspired the next generation. It’s fair to say that, throughout history, women haven’t always been recognised for their achievements. They haven’t always been given the same opportunities or credit that men have enjoyed and that’s why we wanted to mark International Women’s Day and create the ‘Inspirational Woman’ Essay Competition.
The boys and girls who have taken part have really shown a flair and it gives me great hope for the future. We should be proud of the talent that we have on our doorstep.”
The Year 5 winner was Layla Atkinson of Bramhope Primary School, Samantha Lusted of Oatlands Junior School won the Year 4 prize, and Ngozi Chikere of Harewood Church of England Primary School won the Year 3 competition. The pupils received book tokens for themselves and their schools.
Giuditta Wright, a teacher who attended, said of the competition: “It’s brilliant to see so many children talking about their inspirational woman. It’s also a big challenge for them in terms of the length of writing and the scope.”
