Kaingaroa writer a winner again

James Broadwith reading his winning story after receiving his Vodafone Warriors prize on Friday.

No one knew who had won the League in Libraries writing competition when a party of Vodafone Warriors arrived at Kaingaroa School on Friday, but when the announcement was finally made it came as no surprise.

The winner of the Year 7-8 category was James Broadwith, who already had form for winning major competitions with his pen.

The competition, now in its 10th year, is aimed at encouraging writing and literacy (with a Warriors flavour), four players (and Kiwi Fern Georgia Hale) interacting with the children before the presentation, explaining why literacy skills were important to them and naming their favourite books.

James, who read his story to the assembly, received a Vodafone Warriors jersey, a trip to Auckland to see his story professionally illustrated and published, and tickets to a Warriors game.

Two years ago he won the Year 5-8 category of a national Ministry of Education competition as part of WWI commemorations, with the diary of a fictional Anzac soldier. Principal Kathy Hancock told Friday's visitors that the school had been excited about their arrival for some time.

The competition was a good fit with the school's philosophy, which included encouraging the children to aim high, and to appreciate the benefits of a team effort.

"A lot of the children have the same strengths that you display as rugby league players at the top level," she said. "Like you they have passion and courage, and it is important to bring passion into reading, writing and literacy. Our students are proud to be from the Far North. They are well grounded in who they are and where they are from. They will go places."