We are delighted to introduce our new Unley Primary School Wonderful Writer Award, supported by Ross and Sue Dillon of Dillons Norwood Bookshop.

For a number of years, our school has been working to improve students’ writing achievement. We feel it is important to celebrate the commitment shown by children as part of their journey toward becoming great writers. The Wonderful Writer Award is another way we can continue to recognise students who are going above and beyond in their writing.

The Wonderful Writer Award is given to students who show outstanding effort and thoughtfulness in their writing. We are also looking for the ways students are putting into practice the writing strategies they have been learning at school. The award can be given for writing that students have crafted at home or in class because we know that great writers are always looking for opportunities to play with words and have fun creating something brilliant. Any staff member at UPS can present a Wonderful Writer Award.

Children who have received a certificate will have the chance to win a book voucher, drawn from a hat at the end of the school term. We extend our warmest thanks to Unley locals Ross and Sue Dillon, who have kindly donated several vouchers to keep us going for a year! We imagine that many of you will know the iconic Dillons Norwood Bookshop on The Parade. Perhaps you love this magical place just as much as we do! Whether you win the voucher or not, we can highly recommend a visit to Dillons to relish in a good book or two.

What is most important to the staff at UPS is that kids are taking pleasure in their writing and that their writing is being shared with an audience – whether that’s a classmate, family member or teacher. We have even heard of kids who read their writing to a pet!

The best way children can improve their writing is by writing regularly for enjoyment. Reading lots of wonderful books, or listening to books being read aloud, is also guaranteed to help. Parents who are involved in their child’s writing, and who are interested in what they have to share, have a positive impact on their child’s learning.

We look forward to seeing some more wonderful writing from the kids at UPS, and we can’t wait to present our very first book voucher next week at assembly.

Happy writing, one and all!