The freezing cold water | by Nolan

I shuddered as I dipped my foot into the freezing cold water. For some reason I thought it was hot although I was shivering. A whistle blew. I regained my senses and swam. Everyone was 1 lap ahead. Anyway I came second in the end. But of all the races, 1st, yay!

So after that I searched for my mum. I knew she was there. Finally I found her. The first thing I said was, "Can I go home?"
Obviously she said, "No, it's only halfway through school!"
"Awww!" I moaned.

30 minutes later, on the bus, I felt relaxed and relieved but tired.

Marina's story | By Mahinaz

I take one last look back at our house. I try to remember the whole house and the stuff in it. I hope Gleam and Glow are okay in their fishpond. I think I will miss the big oak tree because I remember when I climbed it. The flower garden was growing very well and very high. I'll remember the back window and the wooden house. I feel sad for two reasons, because I don't want to leave the house and I don't want to leave Gleam and Glow behind. Another reason we are sad is because we have to look for Dad and find him and then help him. I hope we find Dad very quickly.

This was written after reading the beginning of Gleam and Glow, a story of a family forced to flee in the Bosnian conflict. This piece is written from the perspective of one of the children in the family.

Cross country day | by Ella

I woke up thinking it was a normal day. Mum called, “it’s breakfast time, Ella!” I stumbled out of bed. Charlie was chatting away about his lego ship.

“It’s cross country!” 
I shivered.

“It… it… it’s… cro…ss… country?!”

I picked the last blueberry out of my bowl.

“Yes,” said Mum as I put my bowl up at the bench.

After I had gotten dressed, brushed my hair and was getting my shoes on I had butterflies in my tummy. We arrived at school, did the roll, and got our bags on. You can do it! I thought to myself.

The bus pulled up. The closer we got the more nervous I got.

3 hours later…

3…2…1… GO! Suddenly everyone zoomed past leaving me behind. 7…8…6…5…4! 4^th!  I have never run this fast before!

“Here come the bushes!” I was in the forest now. I stumbled over a big root and I hurt my ankle. I kept on going. The air smelt musty. I felt a pain going down my back. Then I saw a clearing and heard people clapping. Tenth now. In a few minutes I was over the fence and had crossed the finish line! I waited for Sophia and clapped when I saw her.