Winner:

Teachers’ and Childrens’ Day celebrations

The Teachers’ and Childrens’ Day celebrations of Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena was held on October 8. The theme chosen for this year was “Every ray of sunshine brings out a hidden seed into a sunflower.” Teachers are the rays of sunshine who give light and make children’s life bloom like a sunflower.

The day started with the holy mass at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotahena. The children offered sunflowers in a procession. The teachers took their oaths during the mass.

After the mass there was a drama staged in the open air, by the Sinhala Drama Club about the relationship between teachers and children.

We had the opportunity to meet our past and present teachers and to share their memorable experiences.

It was a special day for children like us to show our gratitude and thank the teachers for their service in education us.

Vinotheeba Reginald,
Grade 12 E2,
Good Shepherd Convent,
Kotahena.

Winner:

My hobby

My hobby is reading. I read a lot of story books, novels and newspapers. They give me much pleasure. I read both Sinhala and English story books. I like to read Sinhala story books because my mother tongue is Sinhala. I started reading when I was six years old. My favourite story book is Madol Doowa. It is written by Martin Wickramasinghe. He was a very popular writer among children.

Newspapers help me to expand my knowledge. They help me to collect news of my own country and other countries.

I have read lots of books meaningfully. They help me to improve my language skills. I think everyone should have a hobby such as reading.

Mahelee Tarindi Muthumala,
Grade 7A,
Agamathi Balika Vidyalaya,
Panadura.

Winner:

A parrot

It was a parrot,
Having a carrot,
Up in a turret.
I saw it thrice,
‘Cos; it looked nice,
Like a small green mice.
Up in a turret,
Eating a carrot,
My dear parrot.
Flap your wings,
Or do your sings,
I’ll give you rings.

Why don’t you fly?,
Up in the sky,
Is it so high?
I like you fly,
Up in the sky,
But not so high!
Try and try,
You can fly,
One day high,
Before you die.

Mohamed Munas Fathima Azra,
Grade 10,
Royal English School,
Matale.

My favourite author

My favourite author is Martin Wickramasinghe. He was born on May 29, 1890 in the southern coastal village Koggala. He is popularly known as the ‘Sage of Koggala.’ He is the most outstanding writer of the 20th century.

He had an exceptional career dedicated to the Sinhala language. He wrote over a dozen novels including Madol Doova, Gamperaliya, Kaliyugaya and Viragaya. Apart from this he wrote short stories and books on evolution. They are popular among children and adults. He was recognised as an eminent writer locally and internationally.

He died on July 23, 1976 at the age of 86. The Martin Wickramasinghe Trust was set-up to preserve his work. He is my favourite author. I respect him and his work. He has enriched our culture.

H.W. Dulni Thinara de Silva,
Grade 7A,
St. Mary’s Convent,
Matara.

Winner:

My first day in a ship

September 20 was a special holiday for us. So, my father decided to take me and my brother somewhere. Early in the morning we left home for Colombo by train. Then we came to Colombo harbour. I saw a lot of people in a queue. We also joined the queue. When I was in the queue, I realised that we were going to see a ship.

The name of the ship was “Logos Hope” and it belongs to a German Christian Organisation. That was mentioned in the banners hung on the ship. We went to the entrance of the ship by a special bus. Then we went into the ship. There were many people of different nationalities working as the ship's crew. They welcomed us and showed us the way.

I selected some books and picture cards as souvenirs. We went to the restaurant and had a snack. And then we left the ship leaving a message for the captain in his computer.

W.A. Pasindu Anjana Weerakkody,
Grade 4A,
Royal International School,
Kurunegala.

Winner:

Let's protect trees

We cannot live without trees which give us shade and food. They provide us medicine and flowers. Trees also give us timber.

Without trees we will not have rain. There will be no life without trees. We must protect trees without cutting them.

Kalani Rashmika,
Grade 4C,
Vidyalankara Maha Vidyalaya.

A cat speaks

My name is White. I live in England. My owner is Mike. He is very good. He is a singer. Every Friday he takes me to the beach. He has many friends. They love me a lot. Some of them carry me. I like to eat meat and fish.

I like to go in Mike's car. He drives his car very fast. Mike's mother and father do not love me. They always say, “This cat is very bad.” I don't like them. They are very cruel. My best friend is a dog. His name is Pluto. Mike and I watch comedy films. Mike enjoys them and laughs.

I like to run and sleep. One day I fell into a pond. Sometimes Mike goes on tours to different countries and he takes me with him. The favourite country I have visited is Sri Lanka. I love my owner Mike.

Hasindu Laksen Wijesekara,
Grade 8,
St. Servatius College,
Matara.

My sister

My sister is Sayuli. She is very beautiful and fair.
She plays with me.

My sister likes to eat apples, ice-cream and toffees.
She has a lot of beautiful toys. I love my sister very much.

Sidangana Inimankada,
Grade 3,
Christ Church Girls’ College,
Baddegama.

My mother

My mother's name is Mazeena. She has four children. She is fair and beautiful.

My mother cooks tasty food. She helps me with my school work. She bathes me and takes care of me.

I love my mother.

Fathima Shima,
Grade 2,
Wisdom International School,
Colombo 9.