Assumption student Lara creative writing success

Assumption student Lara creative writing success

16 October 2019

A TALENTED student at Ballynahinch’s Assumption Grammar School has been named as one of the winners in a UK-wide competition organised by the NASUWT.

Lara Deegan was chosen as a winner in the creative writing category of the Teachers’ Union’s Arts & Minds competition, with the Carryduff girl delighted with her success.

The competition is aimed at promoting race equality and diversity in schools with students attending primary, post-primary and special schools judged in two categories, art and creative writing.

Lara’s piece entitled “We Need This to Stop” takes the form of diary entries by a girl who uses a wheelchair and challenges a boy who has been bullying her.

She collected the prize at the national awards ceremony in London last week, with her entry receiving high praise.

The judges said Lara’s piece was “nicely written” and shows what life is like in a wheelchair. 

They added: “Lara’s story shows the daily struggles of trying to do what others can take for granted. Quite a story is told within just a few diary entries, which is a clever way of doing it.”

The NASUWT’s acting general secretary, Chris Keates, extended his congratulations to Lara.

He added: “She produced an excellent piece of creative writing that shows just how deeply children and young people can understand these important issues.

“All of the entries were creative and clever, so the judges had great difficulty in choosing the winners. The high quality of entries is a credit to the skills and abilities of the pupils and their teachers and support staff.”

Chris added: “The NASUWT is proud to organise the Arts & Minds competition which is an engaging and effective way to promote and celebrate cultural diversity.”