• Write a short poem or spoken word piece, inspired by the word: Symphony
• If you are in school years 4-6, make sure your piece is at least 50 words and no longer than 200 words. (Starfish Scribblers – school years 4-6) 
• If you are in school years 7-9, make sure your piece is is at least 100 words and no longer than 300 words.(Sea Scribes – school years 7-9) 
• Save your entry with a filename that is the same as the entry title. E.g if the story is called ‘The Lost Hat’ then the file should be named TheLostHat.pdf
• Entries should be saved as a PDF. 
• Each page should be numbered with a title in a header.
• Entries should be in Times New Roman, 12 point, double spaced.
• Your name should not appear anywhere on the manuscript or filename.

This year, your challenge is to create a compelling poem or spoken word piece with your own interpretation of the word Symphony.

Do you imagine insects, the sounds of the night, the hums and buzz of an urban landscape? Do you despair of the increasing inability of society to tune in to the world around us? 

Can you share the sound and rhythm of words as they land on the page?

We can’t wait to find out!

Your entry:

• is a long-form poem or short spoken word piece (no acrostic poems or haiku)
• Is original fiction, written by one person (not a group, not using AI)   
• is written for this competition only.
• Is at least 50 words and no longer than 200 words: (Starfish Scribblers – school years 4-6) 
• Is at least 100 words and no longer than 300 words:(Sea Scribes – school years 7-9) 

The work must meet the conditions of entry and follow the guidelines published on the website.        

All work will be judged on the following criteria:

Form and structure:

• Is it well thought-out and structured
• Is it unnecessarily long or short
• Effective use of punctuation to set the rhythm of the poem
• Does it flow well
• Effective imagery and word choice
• Does it evoke an emotion 

Top Tips:

Read poetry! Ask your school librarian or local library for suggestions.

Experiment with structure – short lines, long lines, pacing and line breaks

Tap into your emotions – what makes you laugh, cry, wince, fear.

Play with some ‘what if’ ideas.

Make every line count. Cut unnecessary words.

Read your work out loud to find trips in the rhythm

*Successful entries may go through an edit process to ensure ease of reading for the general public.

Main Prize package (The Ripples Ripper Award)

Prize Total: Two. One each for grades 4-6 and 7-9

The Main Prize package includes:

• Your winning entry published on the Words on the Waves website.
• A certificate of place
• A Kids Gift Card voucher to the value of $100
• A book pack consisting of 5 current children’s fiction books
• A One Day Pass to the Words on the Waves Writers Festival 2027 for your submitting adult valued at $95
• An author or illustrator visit to your school to the value of $450

Total Prize Value: $850

Runner-Up (A Whale of a Tale Award)

Prize Total: Two. One each for grades 4-6 and 7-9 

The Runner Up Prize package includes:

• One copy of your entry published on the Words on the Waves website.
• A certificate of place
• A Kids Gift Card voucher to the value of $50
• A book pack consisting of 3 current children’s fiction book.

Runner-Up Prize Value (incl. GST) $200

Highly Commended Prize (Simply Swell Award)

Prize Total: Two. One each for grades 4-6 and 7-9

The Highly Commended Prize package includes:

• One copy of your entry published on the Words on the Waves website.
• A certificate of place
• A book pack consisting of 2 current children’s fiction books 

Highly Commended Prize Value (incl. GST) $50 

Book Pack Prizes sponsored with thanks by Allen and Unwin, Scholastic, Walker Books, Penguin and Harper Collins

*Please check the Terms and Conditions for expanded information on the prize packages.

• Competition opens:  9:00am [AEST] on Monday 8th June 2026
• Competition closes: 8:00 pm Monday 6th July 2026
• Prize Winners notified by Monday 3 August 2026
• Entrants will be informed where and when the Competition Announcement Ceremony or individual Certificate Giving is to take place after the above notification date.

• My file is saved as a PDF
• File name is the same as my entry title e.g. if the piece is called ‘The Lost Hat’ then the file should be named TheLostHat.pdf
• Is at least 50 words and no longer than 200 words: (Starfish Scribblers – school years 4-6)
• Is at least 100 words and no longer than 300 words:(Sea Scribes – school years 7-9)
• Each page is numbered with the title in the header
• It is in Times New Roman at 12 point double spaced

Please read the Terms & Conditions of the Ripples Short Story Competition here.