When our librarian Dr. George devised a school-wide Haiku competition for National Poetry Week, she barely reckoned with the breadth of creativity among Columba ākonga.

After a rigorous, intense and at-times enlightening judging process, it is our pleasure to celebrate the poetic prowess of the following students:

Congratulations to Lia Fisher (Year 9), the overall winner of the inaugural Columba College National Poetry Week competition! Lia’s Haiku managed to capture a range of feelings in 17 seemingly simple syllables, and stayed with the judges long after reading, which they felt is precisely the point of poetry. Well done, Lia!

Among the Highly Commended entries, nature was a popular theme, with Gwendolyn Somerville (Year 5) and Matilda Sutton (Year 9) beautifully evoking a calming stream and a cool breeze respectively; Samantha Maw (Year 9) took delight in describing the moonlight, while Ruby Jones (Year 9) spoke oh-so-poetically about the “overwhelming” beauty of a rainbow.

Samuel Reilly’s (Year 5) effort was deeply spiritual, giving the judges much pause for thought. Likewise, Skyla Murray (Year 12) eschewed a well-trodden path, creating a haiku-tour-de-force in the form of baking instructions – a sure recipe for success.

The entries from staff were no less enjoyable – Ms Lach’s ‘Bonsai Blues’ evocatively captured the thrill of tree-trimming; but it was an anonymous entry which truly stole the show. The judging panel was dazzled at the way a simple observation about a fabulous pair of shoes became a meditation on acceptance and self-assuredness.

Special mention must go to Mrs Pollard and the Year 6 class for their slideshow presentation – especially Toby Guy’s utterly delightful image of a sleepy cat in the spring sun, which had the judging panel longing for the change of seasons (as well as a quiet spot to curl up in, after all that hard work judging your haiku hijinks). If you see your name in print, please be sure to pop into the library to receive your sweet reward – and congratulations to all entrants.

Lia Fisher (Year 9) – Overall Winner

I watch the night sky

wondering where you might be

You were always there

Gwendolyn Somerville (Year 5)

The calming stream flows,

The wind whistles in the trees,

This beautiful creek

Matilda Sutton (Year 9)

Waiting patiently

The trees sway in the cool breeze

Feeling ecstatic

Samantha Maw (Year 9)

The dark sky rises.

Grey contrasts from the blue skies

Tonight the moon shines

Ruby Jones (Year 9)

As the turbulent

storm passes by…the rainbow

is overwhelming

Samuel Riley (Year 5)

The untimely souls

have risen from their deathbeds

to greet all spirits

Skyla Murray (Year 12)

Ingredients are:

• three and a half cups sugar
• two hundred grams of

sweetened condensed milk

• one two five grams of butter
• half a cup of milk
• three tablespoons of

golden syrup; pinch of salt

• vanilla essence

Method as follows:

1. Grease a cake tin and line

with baking paper.

2. Ingredients

(all except for vanilla)

into a saucepan.

3. Warm over heat

until sugar has dissolved

(ten to fifteen mins).

4. Bring to gentle

boil and then cook for ten

to fifteen minutes,

until it reaches

a soft ball consistency.

5. Remove from heat,

and add vanilla

(the amount is top secret).

6. Cool for five mins.

7. Beat with a

mixer until fudge is thick

and creamy; no gloss

(approx. ten minutes).

8. Pour into tin and cool.

9. Refrigerate.

10. Once set, cut in-

to shapes of your heart’s desire.

Share with everyone.

Ms Lach – ‘Bonsai Blues’

To trim off a branch

you will need a steady hand

making young trees old

Anonymous Staff Entry

Buckles and velvet

Not quite the right shade of blue;

Nevermind, it’s fine

Toby Guy (Year 6)

Cat in the tall grass

smelling the lovely flowers

Going to sleep now