Commonwealth Essay Competition - Roots School System

ROOTS SCHOOL SYSTEM
Department of Inter School Coordination, Communications & Public Relations DISCCPR
13 th Feb, 2008.
DISCCPR NOTICE REF: DISCCPR-0016-2008
Commonwealth Essay Competition - Write around the World -2008
Participating Tiers (which are called Classes)
• Class A - 16-18 years
• Class B - 14-15 years
• Class C - 12-13 years
• Class D - under 12 years
THE DEADLINE FOR ESSAYS TO REACH THE ROYAL
COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY IS 1st March, 2008
For More Detail: visit www.rcsint.org
Mission Statement
aims to bring out the best in a child
mentally, academically, intellectually, spiritually, physically , culturally and morally.

ROOTS SCHOOL SYSTEM
Department of Inter School Coordination, Communications & Public Relations DISCCPR
Dear Branch Heads / Coordinators
Roots School System is synonymous with “Brilliance” and takes every opportunity to expose Roots
students to International & National competitions so that we can compare our student’s analytical
abilities and intellect.
Our student’s participation in this Common wealth Essay Competition will surely give them an edge in
their personal achievement profile & will definitely affect their college admissions in world top
universities. Kindly inspire & lead your team of students and English teachers to excel in this contest.
Every year, the Commonwealth Essay Competition inspires thousands of young writers from all over the
world. Organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Competition has been running for over 100
years and is firmly established as a highly regarded and popular international education project. With
young people writing from all Commonwealth countries and territories, the Competition enjoys much
esteem and support throughout the Commonwealth.
When the essays have been registered, they are distributed to twenty-four examiners for judging and the
results are announced in July. The Commonwealth Essay Competition may be an agent for local and
international social change, as it encourages literacy and reflective thought.
2008 Topics:
The Competition has four different age bands, 'Classes'. Each Class offers five topics, plus the
Commonwealth Question.
CLASS A - Born 1989-1991
1500-2000 words
All questions can be answered by writing an essay or a story which explores the topic in an interesting and
relevant way.
Tell us about your favourite book OR your favourite place and what it means to you.
1. Why decorate?
2. Is the world becoming tribal or global?
3. EITHER Let me tell you a story. This is how it all began … OR Fifty years from now.
4. Refugees.
5. The Commonwealth Question (see details below).
Mission Statement
aims to bring out the best in a child
mentally, academically, intellectually, spiritually, physically , culturally and morally.

ROOTS SCHOOL SYSTEM
Department of Inter School Coordination, Communications & Public Relations DISCCPR
CLASS B - Born 1992-1993
1200-1500 words
All questions can be answered by writing an essay or a story which explores the topic in an interesting and
relevant way.
1. “You have to have a dream or you go nowhere.” (Kofi Annan)
2. An inter-galactic market research company is canvassing opinions on whether Planet Earth is
suitable material for “first contact”. What do you think?
3.
4. What advice would you give to a family living with teenagers?
5. EITHER this is where I live OR these are the things which make me who I am.
6. Blue.
7. The Commonwealth Question (see details below).
CLASS C - Born 1994-1995
500-700 words
1. Write a story or an account starting “Now, when I was your age …”
2. Write a review of a favourite book, film, exhibition or piece of drama. Make sure you discuss why
you liked it and why you think other people would too.
3. What single change would most improve life in your community? Explain why.
4. Write a story which includes a song and a secret.
5. Imagine what it would be like to live for a whole day relying primarily on just ONE of your five
senses.
6. The Commonwealth Question (see details below).
CLASS D - Born 1996 or later
300-600 words
Write a story or a poem entitled EITHER “The Storm” OR “The Ring”.
1. If you were given three special powers, what would they be and how would you use them?
2. Strange happenings at the market.
3. My best friend.
4. You wake up one morning as the family pet. Describe your day.
5. The Commonwealth Question (see details below).
Mission Statement
aims to bring out the best in a child
mentally, academically, intellectually, spiritually, physically , culturally and morally.

ROOTS SCHOOL SYSTEM
Department of Inter School Coordination, Communications & Public Relations DISCCPR
GUIDELINES FOR TEACHERS / STUDENTS:
1. Students must pay attention to the topics which have been set and ensure that within the
specified word count they fully answer what they have been asked to do. Otherwise the Examiners
will not consider them eligible for the prizes and awards.
2. Examiners expect students to show a competent command of English as a written language. This
includes a good standard of spelling and punctuation, neat presentation and clear handwriting or
word processing. Examiners take into account whether English is the first, second or third
language of the candidate.
3. Prize-winning entries may vary enormously in the way they are written. But they will invariably
engage the reader’s attention in an entertaining, interesting or thoughtful manner. Qualities
shown by candidates may include originality, imagination, creative writing skills, clarity of
thought, and sincerity of voice, skilful story telling, sound scholarship or well-documented
research.
4. When giving Commended or Highly Commended awards, Examiners will usually choose those
entries which have shape and structure, keep to the point and demonstrate care and effort on the
part of the writer.
5. Where appropriate, candidates are encouraged to carry out research by reading suitable books
and articles and/or by making use of the internet. It is expected that they consult more than one
identifiable source of information, attribute quotations by means of footnotes and list their
sources at the end of the entry.
6. Candidates must not plagiarise material. Remember that Examiners have access to the internet
and can easily identify material published on-line.
7. In the younger Classes (C and D), Examiners enjoy entries which are illustrated by hand or by
using computer generated images and photographs provided the illustrations are relevant to the
subject-matter of the entry and do not detract from the writing .
Mission Statement
aims to bring out the best in a child
mentally, academically, intellectually, spiritually, physically , culturally and morally.

ROOTS SCHOOL SYSTEM
Department of Inter School Coordination, Communications & Public Relations DISCCPR
Prize for Common Wealth Question:
There is a £150 prize for a winning entry on the Commonwealth Question in each of the four Classes. This
prize is in addition to the main prizes offered in each Class. Any entrant selecting the Commonwealth
Question as their topic will also have their essay considered for a main prize.
How to Enter:
Please ensure you have completed an entry form in block capitals and attached it to your students’ essay.
Without a completed entry form the essays will not be entertained.
ENTERING THE COMPETITION:
Via Email
Make sure your email includes a copy of the entry form, which can be found by clicking on the link.
Alternatively, you can attach the required entrant details. You will not be able to submit any entry without
this information. Then e-mail your entries to essay@rcsint.org
RULES:
1. All entries must be submitted through your branch.
2. All entries must be accompanied by a copy of the entry form which has been certified by a you
(the branch Head).
3. All essays must be written in English.
4. Students can only submit one essay which must be written on a single topic.
5. Your Branch may only submit sixteen entries in total and NO MORE THAN FOUR ENTRIES PER AGE
BAND OR CLASS.
6. Students age should be calculated as on 31 December 2007 and select a topic from the Class that
corresponds with their age on that date.
Imp. Note: Entries are liable for disqualification on the following criteria:
The essay is not certified.
No date of birth is given.
The essay writer is too old for the Class entered.
The essay is too long or too short in relation to the specified word count.
If your branch has submitted more than four essays per Class.
7. All essays become the property of the Royal Commonwealth Society with the right to publish.
Mission Statement
aims to bring out the best in a child
mentally, academically, intellectually, spiritually, physically , culturally and morally.

ROOTS SCHOOL SYSTEM
Department of Inter School Coordination, Communications & Public Relations DISCCPR
ENTRY FORM:
Download the Entry Form for 2008 through the web site/ or find as enclosed.
NOTE:
If you are not able to download the entry form please complete a cover sheet listing the following entrant
details:
Country
Name
E-Mail Address
Date of Birth
Gender
Name of School
Full School Address
Essay Class
Topic Number
Name of Staff Member at school (who can confirm your details are correct)
Position of Staff Member
E-Mail Address of Staff Member
Any special considerations or information you feel would be helpful e.g. that English is the student’s
second or third language or there is a relevant disability which would entitle the student to be
considered for one of the Special Prizes.
IMP NOTE: Don't forget to attach the essay!
CHECKLIST FOR ENTRANTS:
Have you...
• Attached the entry form to the front of your entry?
• Made an accurate word count?
• Written your name, the title of the entry and the topic number at the top of the first page?
• Numbered all pages clearly?
• Used A4 paper (wherever possible)?
• Kept to the point and answered the topic?
Mission Statement
aims to bring out the best in a child
mentally, academically, intellectually, spiritually, physically , culturally and morally.

PRIZES:
ROOTS SCHOOL SYSTEM
Department of Inter School Coordination, Communications & Public Relations DISCCPR
Each class has four main prizes, the Commonwealth Question prize and a special prize for disabled
entrants.
MAIN PRIZES
CLASS A (Born 1989-1991)
1st - £600
2nd - £300 (Stephen Kemp Memorial)
3rd - £100 (British Council Association Prize)
4th - £100 (Maragaret Best Endowment)
CLASS B (Born 1992-1993)
1st - £350 (Ms Pat Kelsey)
2nd - £150 (Sheila Ramsay Lochhead Memorial)
3rd - £100 (Cambridge University Commonwealth Society)
4th - £100
CLASS C (Born 1994-1995)
1st - £250
2nd - £150
3rd - £100
4th - £100
CLASS D (Born 1996 or later)
1st - £150
2nd - £120
3rd - £100
4th - £100
Special Prize
In each class there is a special prize available for a disabled entrant (Sir Alwyn Ezra
Endowment). The value of the prize is equivalent to that of the 4th prize in each of the
respective Classes
Mission Statement
aims to bring out the best in a child
mentally, academically, intellectually, spiritually, physically , culturally and morally.

ROOTS SCHOOL SYSTEM
Department of Inter School Coordination, Communications & Public Relations DISCCPR
Please note:
Kindly nominate one head English teacher / ICT TEACHER to monitor the preparations of all the respective groups.
Ensure fullest preparation.
We must encourage such competitions to determine our teaching standards as compared to other students
studying in the same level in Pakistan.. Kindly carefully go through the Guidelines & Competition Rules as
issued earlier, only then you will be able to guide your teachers and students.
Thank you and should you have any queries please email k.pinho@rootsschool.edu.pk or by calling
+92 51 111-123-074 Extension 103,104 or 105 at your earliest. Good Luck!
Kiran Pinho
Executive Manger
Department of Inter School Coordination, Communication & Public Relations
disccpr@rootsschool.edu.pk
Mission Statement
aims to bring out the best in a child
mentally, academically, intellectually, spiritually, physically , culturally and morally.