Yakamia Primary School wins division prize in Telethon Kids Helping Kids storytelling competition

The creativity of five young storytellers from Yakamia Primary School has been recognised on a State level, as their inspiring comic strip won Telethon’s top storytelling prize for their age group.

Year 6 students Paniha Thompson, Ben Cramer, Megan Ollis, Oakley Greay and Millie Stone were announced as winners of the upper primary division in the inaugural Telethon Kids Helping Kids storytelling competition.

Their entry, a comic strip, pictures the students themselves brainstorming ideas on how to fundraise, writing that “every hotdog we sell helps to buy important pieces of medical equipment . . . every coin we collect helps fund research into heaps of childhood illnesses”.

Ben said the idea for the comic strip was inspired by a photo the group — who serve as the school’s chosen Telethon Ambassadors — had taken and represented the variety of fundraising methods they used.

“We’ve been doing a lot of fun things, like a lot of food sales, and these little boxes of birthday cupcakes in there,” he said.

“I think we had a free dress day and a PJ day too.

“I was really happy with the end result and excited.”

With the help of Yakamia PS Telethon Ambassador co-ordinator Raelene Scott, the students have so far raised more than $7000 for the charity, surpassing last year’s total of $5700.

“We’ve been an ambassador school for five years and have really enjoyed being part of Telethon for that time,” Ms Scott said.

“I think we’ve just clocked over $32,000 in the five years we’ve done it.”

Other winners from across WA included Ashdale PS Year 2 student Jisha Bhavsar (lower primary school division) with her story, The Helping Club, and Halls Head College Year 12 students Storm Bugden, Callum Berrisford and Charlotte Hemsley (secondary school category), with a powerful letter.

Education Minister Sabine Winton said all students from the 79 schools who entered the competition had done themselves proud.

“It’s both heartwarming and inspiring to see this theme of ‘kids helping kids’ come to fruition,” she said.

“I am excited to hear about all the ways our students have learnt about the importance of helping others.”