Gigi E. - Literary Award Recipient for QLD & NT

Year 5 student, Gigi E., has won a Highly Commended prize in the 66th annual Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) and English Teachers’ Association of Queensland’s (ETAQ) Literary Competition.  

Gigi’s poem, The Great Toilet Quest, is a humorous poem that explores the trials and tribulations of trying to make it to the toilet in the dark.

The IEU Literary Competition is an extension activity that students in the English Enrichment Program at Holy Cross School enter each year, in addition to the Cairns Eisteddfod Literary Competition. 

ETAQ President said over 1300 submissions of poetry, short stories and non-fiction prose were entered into this year’s competition, with all schools providing a high quality of entries for judging. 

Congratulations Gigi on your well-deserved award!

The Great Toilet Quest

by Gigi E. - 5S

Oh young adventurer just ten years old
With a tale of courage bold and gold
It started one evening in the afternoon glow
When nature called she had to go

Through the hall she tiptoed quiet as a mouse
Past the couch where mum was lounging about
“Where are you going, love?” Mum asked with a grin
“To the throne room I must get in!”

The journey was long oh daunting and steep
With toys in the hall she let out a squeak
A Lego block here, a doll over there
She dodged them as graceful as a hare

Her mom called out, "Don’t take all day!
The toilet’s not Mars, it’s just down the way!"
But the hero knew, this was no simple challenge
For the bathroom was far and her need was acute

At last she sat down with relief, as she turns to the side
She screams in horror with no roll in sight
Then mum calls out, “Sorry my bad love!”
As she chucks one in like a knight in shining armour

“How was your quest?” Mum asked with a smile
“Fulfilled! Although the hall is messy
I’ll start a petition - no toys near here!” Mum chuckles
Say with a smile “I’d like to see you even get past a trial!”

With a duty filled and more journeys to come
Of a story of a girl and her mum
Of the mess they made of toys and crumbs
The little girls story has just begun