Centenary
Celebrations
Proposal
Sponsoring Body
Mr James Shearer, Deacon Convenor of the Nine Incorporated
Trades of Dundee.
Contact: Ron Scrimgeour, Collector, ronscrimgeour@talktalk.net
Title of Project
Mary Slessor Writing Competition
Aims and objectives
To promote a wider awareness of Mary Slessor, her life, times and
her accomplishments through a fictional narrative. To honour a
Dundee weaver who gave a powerful example of the impact
women can make in adversity. To provide a personal insight into
Mary’s struggle to be accepted as a missionary. To highlight the
culture and practices she faced in Calabar. To inspire pride in the
City of Dundee in the young people taking part in the competition.
Year Group
S2 pupils in all City of Dundee Secondary Schools and the High
School of Dundee. Each school would submit 2 entries in each
category.
Outline
Word limit 800 words
There will be 2 categories -fiction and non-fiction. This is to reflect the
new school curriculum. It enables equal importance to be given to fiction
and non-fiction in the new exam structure and to equalise gender
differences. Often boys prefer to write non-fiction.
The choice of genre will be left to the writers. Some pupils may wish to
enter a play script, poetry, a fictional narrative, newspaper article or
other forms as it suits individual styles and strengths.
Submission Date
20th March 2015
Awards or prizes
The winner in each of the two sections will each receive an iPad,
tablet or mini laptop. An engraved trophy marking the success will
also be provided to each pupil. The schools will advise on the most
suitable IT device for aspiring writers.
Awards Ceremony
A central location will be chosen that articulates with other
centenary events. This may be the Verdant Works Mary Slessor
Exhibition, City Chambers with Lord Provost hosting, or the
McManus Gallery. Other venues will be considered.