Roar, Squeak, Purr!

Thanks to these amazing poets we now have a signed copy of Roar, Squeak, Purr by Paula Green. Massive thanks to Paula for her generosity in sending this for our library. What a wonderful gift to celebrate this clever chorus of poets.

 

Anthropozine

The Anthropozine is an Aotearoa-based online magazine dedicated to sharing the voices of our communities in an effort to inspire climate action and appreciation for the environment in the face of climate change. They publish a variety of creative works; including poetry, short stories, articles, podcasts, videos, photography, artwork, etc. by individuals and groups of all ages. 

Over the past year, many of Aotearoa’s youth have been active in school strikes, protests and other initiatives to become active in the conversation about climate change. Their upcoming issue is dedicated to the voices of Rangatahi/Youth. The Anthropozine wants to help empower youth by sharing their thoughts and initiatives through this platform. 

The editors of Anthropozine invited all youth (up to the age of 30) to share their perspectives, relationships with the environment, engagement in climate activism and initiatives. 

Some of our Russley writers submitted work for this special issue. I am delighted to announce that seven of our students have had their poetry accepted for publication in Anthropozine.

Congratulations to:

Reuben Veenstra, for Heaven on Earth

Yathindra Kulathunga, for What is Happening to the World?

Ella-Rose Evans, for Beautiful Vision?

Sousuke Feng, for Pandas are Gentle Giants

Sirennah Moses, for Beautiful Beach

Lily Ghobrial, for The New Zealand Forest

Brooke Hillsdon Tootall, for The Forest

Their poems will be published in the next issue of Anthropozine, due for release on 19 October.

Rachel Lewis, editor of Anthropozine says, "Aotearoa’s young people, along with youth all over the world, have made an impact and governments are listening. We are excited to support them in their mission and to help all young people feel hopeful about the change we can inspire towards climate action."

Congratulations to all our Russley Writers! 

Fear

The Russley Writers' Club chose a fear and used their senses to describe it. Can you use the clues in these two poems to work out which fear they are writing about?


Fear

Fear is slithery and long
it is a whispering hiss
it is a stinky swamp
it is slimy and slobbery
Fear is choking, painful and
venemous

- by Team Awa Nui Writing Club


Fear

Fear has eight, hairy legs
it is stealthy and silent
it is salty and crunchy
it smells like dirt and dried blood
Fear tickles and scuttles
and crawls up your arm

- by Team Moana Writing Club

Newly published authors in fingers comma toes

Congratulations to three brilliant authors who have had their writing published on the international online literary journal, fingers comma toes.

Thunder – Lily O’Halloran

Thunder sounds like the clouds
are banging together and
fighting.

Thunder sounds like
drumming monkeys.

When I hear thunder
I hide
under my blanket.

Lily O’Halloran is eight years old, and lives in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Wild – Khadija Sheikh

skin, silky smooth skin
venomous teeth sharp as knives
eyes pitch black
it slides through bladed grass
waiting for its prey

Khadija Sheikh is eleven years old, and lives in Christchurch, New Zealand.

When I Walk into the Jungle – Robbie de Groot-Tsuji

When I walk into the jungle,
thick vines block my way.
Tall trees climbing to get to the sun.
Snakes striking
at the sneakiest possible moment.

The cassowary is fast, but
when you turn to look at him
he’s gone.

When I walk into the jungle,
I taste the sweet, sweet air
and smell the smell of rain.

The birds sound like
The Puppy Concerto
on the piano.

When I walk into the jungle,
I feel calm
like a sloth.

Robbie de Groot-Tsuji is ten years old, and lives in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Authors to be Published in fingers comma toes

Three more Russley writers have had their poetry accepted for publication. This time, by fingers comma toes. This is an online, international journal.  Although the journal doesn't publish a print edition, it is a highly respected online publication, and as they take submissions from writers all over the world (up to the age of 25), it is a fantastic achievement to be accepted. This issue was for a piece of writing on the theme of Wild.

Many of our writers sent entries in, and it amazed me how many different variations and interpretations there were of the theme. We had wild animals, wild places, wild weather, wild beaches and even wild teachers!

Well done to everyone who entered, and special congratulations to these authors, who will have their poems published in fingers comma toes later this month:

Khadija Sheikh - Wild

Robbe de Groot - When I Walk Into The Jungle

Lily O'Hallaran - Thunder