Nicola Morgan, award-winning novelist and expert in the teenage brain and mental health, launched a writing competition at the start of lockdown based on keeping a diary during the strange time.
Sixty pupils from across the UK entered, and the College is proud to be chosen as one of just two winning schools, with six pupils listed as highly commended.
Nicola said: “Diaries and creative writing in general can really help during times of stress. And if this isn’t stressful, I don’t know what is! But we can beat this – beat the stress AND beat the bug.”
“I selected Epsom College as winner because not only did a lot of students enter (the biggest number of any school) but their ideas were genuinely original and interesting. Sparky! So, although they didn’t produce one of the individual winning entries, as a team they were so strong and had so many Highly Commendeds.”
The prize is a selection of books from Nicola’s publishers, Hachette Children’s Group and Walker Books.
Highly Commended – Nicola’s Comments
Milo (13) Epsom College – I really enjoyed this original idea of a new love between school and teenagers! Powerful language, too.
Theo (12) Epsom College – Wonderful idea to show Boris Johnson looking back on his performance during the crisis and finding himself lacking!
Charlie (14) Epsom College – a story with real emotional power.
Sophie (13) Epsom College – another original idea from Epsom College: this time, a letter from a dog to another dog!
Anna (13) Epsom College – nicely captures a happy day during the pandemic.
Will (14) Epsom College – good vocabulary choice and some impressive phrases.
