OmanPride: Stories of our ancestors

The judges of the Let’s Read Children’s Writing Competition have selected the winners of the ‘Stories of Our Ancestors’ writing competition. Jane Jaffer, the organiser of the competition, said that 235 entries from 34 schools across the country were registered as participants.

The theme of this year’s competition involved researching and recording factual details about one of the students’ ancestors. The entries were graded according to three different age groups, which could be written in either Arabic or English. The judges awarded points according to the following criteria: Detailed research and historical backdrop, character description, and dramatisation of life story.

Points were also given for the quality of the writing, including the vocabulary, grammar and presentation, and for providing photographs, and archival material. Eight judges spent weeks reading and assessing the entries. One of the judges, Elizabeth Al Sarhani, remarked on the high standard of the entries and said she enjoyed reading about the tough lives many of the children’s ancestors had faced.

She noted that she found many of the stories inspirational. Judge Diana Long, said it had been an absolute honour and a pleasure to read the essays. “I have been impressed by the entrants’ vivid and often compelling accounts of their older relatives’ lives, which often included extraordinary hardship, great courage, and a will to succeed driven by a deep devotion to family. The research involved was often very impressive. I found the experience highly educational and sometimes acutely touching." Fellow judge Ahmed Al-Mukhaini found Stories of Our Ancestors very interesting from an historical point of view.

“The stories were inspirational. They reminded me that heroic stories happen every day without us noticing. It takes a generation or two, and initiatives such as Let’s Read, for these heroes to be recognised and to provide motivation for us all,” he said.

The prize giving ceremony will be held at Al Qurum Complex on Saturday May 20 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. Winners and all those who entered the competition are invited to attend with their families. Send an e-mail confirming attendance to Jane Jaffer at: [email protected].

Winners of the 11th Dar Al Atta’a Let’s Read Children’s Writing Competition 2017
Arabic
9 years to 13 years:
• 1st Prize
Ahmed Al Matheni, 12 years
Saud bin Azzan School

• 2nd Prize
Jawahir Al Rasbi
Al Wafi Basic School

• 3rd Prize
Haza’a Al Hasani, 12 years
Saud bin Azzan School

14 years to 18 years:
• 1st Prize
Al Hanoof Al Rasbi
Al Wafi Basic School

• 2nd Prize
Raghad Al Ramimiya, 16 years

• 3rd Prize
Maryam Al Baluchi, 17 years
Nussaina bint Ka’ab

English
9 years to 11 years:
• 1st Prize
Salim Al Shukaili, 11 years
Al Injaz Private School

• 2nd Prize
Rehan Agrawal, 11 years
Indian School Ghubra

• 3rd Prize
Praveen Rengarajan, 11 years
Indian School Ghubra

12 years to 14 years:
• 1st Prize
Sam Nathanael, 12 years
Indian School Ghubra

• 2nd Prize
Janki Ram, 12 years
Indian School Ghubra

• 3rd Prize (joint)
Faaria Fatima, 14 years
Indian School Ghubra

• 3rd Prize (joint)
Taif Al Kalbani
The Sultan’s School

15 years to 18 years:
• 1st Prize
Nanda I.S., 17 years
Indian School Darsait

• 2nd Prize
Edwin Tomy, 15 years
Indian School Ghubra

• 3rd Prize
Sowparna Sreekumar, 15 years
Indian School Ghubra

Honourable Mentions:
(small prize winners)
• Atmika Sudhan, 10 years
Indian School Ghubra

• Morgan Everett, 11 years
The Sultan’s School

• Yasmine Alugail, 11 years
The Sultan’s School

• Mohammed A. Raichur, 11 years
Indian School Ghubra

• Ayman Dalwai, 11 years
Indian School Ghubra

• Sana Narmawala, 12 years
Indian School Muscat

Best Entries from other participating schools:
(small prize winners)
• Joseph G. Clarke, 12 years
British School Muscat

• Nabiha Ali, 10 years
Beaconhouse School

• Aarishi Amin Ali, 10 years
Our Planet School

• Marwa Al Rashid, 16 years
Al Gnan -South Sharqiyah

• Shourouk Said, 17 years
Fatma bint Assad

• Mohamed Naushad, 9 years
Sri Lankan School Muscat

• Afrah Anis, 15 years
Indian School Salalah

• Suhera Rayyan, 12 years
Indian School Sohar

• Nandini Parasuram, 13 years
Indian School Muscat

• Eva-Victoria
Schneider-Reine, 9 years
Lycee Francais de Mascate

• Saddam Al Hadrami (joint)
Future Pioneers

• Bilarab Saud (joint)
Future Pioneers

• Colin Fowler, 9 years
As Seeb International School

• Yaqeen Al Ghafri, 14 years
That Al Nitaqain Basic

• Dania Saleh, 13 years
Hay Al Sharooq International

• Aalia Al Wahshi Atia
Al Ansariah

• Hemasujan, 11 years
Indian School Wadi Kabir

• Hanum Isya, 11 years
Muscat International School

• Shaima Abdullah, 10 years
Azzan bin Qais International

• Dylan Everett, 11 years
Royal Flight School

• Sankaz Pattanayak, 13 years
Indian School Maabela

• Mohammed Al Lawati,
11 years, Qurum Private School

• Ayman Al Naamnai, 16 years
Oman United Private

• Aysha Al Hakmani, 10 years
Al Wafi School

• Ishrat, 13 years
Bangladesh School

• Luai Al-Hakhmani, 13 years
Emam Saud bin Azzan

• Hazaa Al Abri, 9 years
Future Knowledge

• Latifa Al Farsi, 15 years
Um Atiah School

• Ameera, 15 years
Ailayati Fida -Dhahirah
The prize giving ceremony will be held at Al Qurum Complex on Saturday May 20 from 4.30pm