Two talented young writers from Chelmsford have risen to the top of a national field, securing prestigious awards in a major Bible-themed competition. The duo, students at St John Payne Catholic School, outperformed thousands of other entrants from across the country in the Schools Bible Project.
A National Achievement Against Stiff Competition
Organised by the charity Christian Projects, the initiative invites secondary school-aged children to study key events in the life of Christ and produce a creative piece of writing as if they were an eyewitness. This year, the competition attracted a staggering 10,000 entries from pupils nationwide.
From St John Payne Catholic School, all 600 Key Stage 3 students participated. Their efforts were spectacularly rewarded when Year 10 student Xavier was named the overall national winner, and Year 9 student Alyson clinched third place nationally.
School Pride and a Tradition of Excellence
The school community has reacted with immense excitement and pride to the news. Assistant headteacher Richard Folkerd highlighted the significance of the accomplishment. "The nationwide competition, which invites students to engage deeply with biblical narratives and themes through creative writing, saw thousands of pupils participate, making our students' success particularly noteworthy," he said.
He added that the school has a strong tradition of entering such competitions, with several students winning prizes in previous years. "The achievement has been met with excitement and pride within the school community, highlighting the students' hard work and the school's commitment to religious education," Folkerd stated.
Recognition, Rewards, and Future Inspiration
School chaplain Katy Adams expressed her delight at the students' success. "We are incredibly proud of Xavier and Alyson's outstanding achievements. Their success reflects their dedication and the high standard of creative and reflective work produced by our students," she said.
Adams emphasised the broader value of the project, noting it helps foster an interest in academic theological writing among young people. "To place first and third nationally out of such a vast number of entries is a magnificent accomplishment. It also demonstrates that hard work pays off and encourages aspiration," she commented.
She also pointed out that the competition included entries from state, grammar, and private schools across the UK, making the merit-based victory even sweeter for the Chelmsford pupils.
For their success, Xavier received a £500 prize and a set of books, while Alyson was awarded £100 and a set of books. The prize money is designated to fund future school projects and resources. As an additional reward, the winning students were treated to a tour of the Houses of Parliament and afternoon tea.
