A YEAR 7 student has won top honours in the Jersey section of one of the world’s oldest schools’ writing competitions with an imaginative essay exploring climate change through the eyes of an assembly of animals – including a gorilla from Jersey Zoo.
Victoria College student Harry Wilson was named this year’s overall Jersey winner of the Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition, receiving both the Gold Award and the Jersey Award Cup.
Harry, who wrote his winning entry while a Year 6 pupil at St Michael’s Preparatory School, impressed judges with a creative piece titled ‘Hope 742’.
The story imagines a global summit led by animals from across the Commonwealth, with each ‘Head of Government’ speaking about the threats facing their species.
The young writer was presented with his award by the Bailiff, Sir Robert MacRae.
Extract from Harry’s winning tale
All of the animals present nodded their heads as the Rhino sat down and the Western Lowland Gorilla took to the stage.
“I’ve come all the way here from Jersey Zoo, that was founded by Gerald Durrell in 1959 – not my usual habitat, but I am being protected there. My family in the wild is gradually disappearing because of deforestation, poaching and because humans are moving into my habitat. We are also victims of a deadly virus known as Ebola. Scientists are trying to fight this because it affects humans as well. There are organisations trying to help us animals and make a difference, such as EarthShot and WWF. Thank you for your attention.”
