Toitoi Jillion 2 published!

Hot off the printing press, this hefty, hardback book is chocka block full of amazing art and writing from students from all over Aotearoa New Zealand. Their creative work has been selected from previously published issues of Toitoi (from 13 to 24) and showcased in this stunning publication.

Congratulations to these present and past Russley Students:

Parker Knight (illustration accompanying the editor's introduction, page 4)

Oliver Peters (poem: Travelling, page 17-19)

Akhila Sharma (poem: Slowing Down Time, page 87)

Ryan Reid (poem: A Family Day at the Beach, page 109)

Robbie deGroot-Tsuji (poem: The Strangest Art Gallery, page 131)

Finn Beedie (poem: A Bed of Clams, page 245)

Harry Fearn (poem: Wilderness, page 321)

Jillioneers!

CONGRATULATIONS to Oliver Peters, Ryan Reid, Finn Beedie, Parker Knight, and past pupils Robbie de Groot-Tsuji and Akhila Sharma who have had poems or artwork selected for publication in a hardcover book, Jillion 2. 

In the last five years, Toitoi has published over 2000 young writers and artists. To celebrate the courage, curiosity and creativity of these young people, Toitoi have created The Jillion 2 — a collection of some of the most amazing writing and artwork from Toitoi 13-24. The Jillion 2 will be a beautiful, hardcover book that will be enjoyed by readers all over New Zealand and the world. 

Congratulations to these talented authors, we look forward to seeing their writing published in Jillion 2. 

Finn's Writing Successes

 Finn Beedie has had great success with his writing recently. He wrote a food-themed poem for Paula Green's Poetry Box challenge at the end of last year, and his poem was picked to be published on her website... AND he won a copy of the awesome recipe book, Egg and Spoon.

In addition to this, we found out during the holidays that the editor of Toitoi had selected Finn's poem to be published in the next issue of Toitoi - edition 23, which will be released at the beginning of Term 2. Congratulations Finn!

You can read Finn's poem below.

 A Bed of Clams

Cranky, clinky clams

Checked rough patterns

burrowing like kids in bed

by Finn Beedie

(Year 3 at the time of writing)

Food Poems Published

A few weeks ago, we wrote poems for Paula Green's Food Poem Challenge. Our poems had to have a food theme... they could be about a particular item of food or meal, or be written in the form of a recipe, or simply just mention food.

Some of our writers had their poems selected by Paula and were published on the Poetry Box website. Congratulations to...

Finn Beedie | Rm 12 | A Bed of Clams

Leo Yang | Rm 2 | Mr Whippy

Sam Li | Rm 13 | How to Live a Long Time

Special congratulations to Finn Beedie (Room 12) who has won a copy of Egg & Spoon cookbook (Alexander Tylee and Giselle Clarkson). Gecko Press

https://nzpoetrybox.wordpress.com/2020/12/09/poetry-box-november-challenge-some-favourite-food-poems/

Russley School's Astonishing Bubble Time Poems

Paula Green has written a beautiful post on Poetry Box, about these talented Russley writers:

Finn B
Henry P
Willow R
Oliver P
James dW
Isaac E
Annabelle K

Paula emailed me to say, "These poems are magnificent... I love the music, the detail, the flow, the mood, the shared expereince. These are the best and most moving things I have read all year."

Read more on the Poetry Box blog:

https://nzpoetrybox.wordpress.com/2020/05/30/poetry-box-may-challenge-russley-schools-astonishing-bubble-time-poems/

Paula is sending a copy of her book, Groovy Fish, to each of these students. Congratulations to all!