We invite all students in years 3 - 8 to enter the Cooks' Cottage School Writing Challenge.

With the imminent arrival of the replica HMB Endeavour students can learn all about Captain Cook and his importance to Australian history. To commemorate this visit, Cooks' Cottage, in conjunction with the Australian National Maritime Museum, would like to invite all students in years’ three to eight, to participate in this amazing opportunity.

Three winners will be announced and prizes to the value of over $100 are on offer to each winner and their school.

Competition opens 1 February
Competition closes 30 March

Winners announced 13 April

Competition Details

Years 3 to 4
Choose one of the following pictures to write your story or poem. [Up to 200 words]

Every picture tells a story. What story does your picture tell?

Years 5 to 6

Imagine you are Zachary Hicks, one of Captain Cook’s crew. Describe how you felt being the first person on the ship, to see the East Coast of Australia and shout the words “Land Ahoy”. Then explain how you felt as you landed in Botany Bay. [Up to 300 words]

Years 7 to 8
Captain Cook and his crew have just arrived back in England after their two years and 11 month voyage on the Endeavour. You are the lucky reporter who gets to interview Captain James Cook. What questions would you ask him? What would his answers be? Write an article [up to 400 words], in a question and answer format. [Clue: you may have to do a bit of research!]

Eligibility

Only Victorian students in Years 3 – 8 are eligible to enter. Entries will be judged in three year level groups.

Group 1: Years 3 – 4
Group 2: Years 5 – 6
Group 3: Years 7 - 8

Rules of entry

1. All stories must be original.

2. Only one entry per student will be accepted.

3. No late entries will be accepted.

4. Word limits for stories are as follows:

Years 3 – 4 Up to 200 words

Years 5 – 6 Up to 300 words

Years 7 – 8 Up to 400 words

5. For all entries, a completed entry form (PDF, 58kb) must be attached to each story for the entry to be valid.

6. The judges’ decision is final.

7. All entries must be received by 5pm, Friday 30 March 2012 .

8. Postal entries should be sent to:

Jacqueline Barsenbach

Acting Program Manager, Fitzroy Gardens

Cooks’ Cottage

Fitzroy Gardens

Wellington Parade

EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002

9. Winners must redeem their complimentary family pass on the Endeavour between 18 to 29 April 2012, inclusive.

Please refer to full Terms and Conditions.