County Council launches competitions for schools to celebrate International Women’s Day

School children from across the county are being invited to take part in creative writing and art competitions focusing on gender equality.

The competitions are part of Northumberland County Council’s celebrations to mark International Women’s Day on 8 March.

There are several competitions on offer, inviting schools to create artwork, write short stories and poetry, and submit ideas for a performing arts bid for the chance to win cash prizes. There are several age categories including all ages, and winning schools will be invited to showcase their entries at a celebration event on Friday 6 March.

And for the first time ever, the council has launched Northumberland’s Inspirational Young Women Awards, for young women under the age of 25 who make an outstanding contribution to residents and/or the county.

The 2020 theme for International Women’s Day campaign is #EachForEqual – promoting development towards a gender equal world. The theme aims to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions and celebrate women’s achievements.

Cllr Cath Homer, cabinet member for culture, arts, leisure and tourism said: “This is a perfect opportunity for the young people of Northumberland to celebrate women within our community in a variety of ways.

“This year we plan for our staff, schools and members of the public to come together to promote equality across Northumberland. Our programme will feature inspirational women from all walks of life across Northumberland, as well as offering prize-funding as part of creative and cultural competitions.”

Cllr Wayne Daley, cabinet member for children’s services said: “It’s really important for us to raise awareness of the issue of gender equality with young people in schools. Both girls and boys will have the opportunity to take part in our initiatives, and I look forward to seeing their work in February.”

Competition details are as follows:

Art Competition

Submission Criteria:

• Submissions should focus on inspirational women from Northumberland.
• Schools can submit one entry per category.

Categories:

• Years Reception/Year 1
• Years 2- 4
• Years 5 – 8
• Years 9 – 12

Prizes:

• Winner: £200 for the award winning school and £25 voucher for the winning artist
• Runner up: £100 for the runner up school and £20 voucher for the runner up artist
• Winning designs will be showcased by Northumberland County Council

Closing date for entries: 5pm, Monday 17 February 2020

Entries to be submitted by post only to: Leader’s Office, County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF

Poetry Competition

Submission Criteria:

• Submissions should focus on inspirational women from Northumberland.
• Schools can submit one entry per category.

Categories:

• Years Reception/Year 1
• Years 2- 4
• Years 5 – 8
• Years 9 – 12

Prizes:

• Winner: £200 for the award winning school and £25 book voucher for the winning author
• Runner up: £100 for the runner up school and £20 book voucher for the runner up author
• Winning designs will be showcased by Northumberland County Council

 

Closing date for entries: 5pm, Monday 17 February 2020

Entries to be submitted by post or email to: Leader’s Office, County Hall, Morpeth,

Northumberland. NE61 2EF or IWD2020@northumberland.gov.uk

Short Stories Competition

Submission Criteria:

• Submissions should focus on the experiences of a fictitious inspirational female character set in Northumberland.
• Schools can submit one entry per category.

Categories:

• Years Reception/Year 1
• Years 2- 4
• Years 5 – 8
• Years 9 – 12

Prizes:

• Winner: £200 for the award winning school and £25 voucher for the winning author
• Runner up: £100 for the runner up school and £20 voucher for the runner up author
• Winners from each category will have the opportunity to join storytelling sessions in Northumberland Libraries in the week leading up to International Women’s Day (w/c 2 March 2020)

 

Closing date for entries: 5pm, Wednesday 26 February 2020

Entries to be submitted by post or email to: Leader’s Office, County Hall, Morpeth,

Northumberland. NE61 2EF or IWD2020@northumberland.gov.uk

Performing Arts Bid

Submission Criteria:

• Bid applications should focus on an artistic performance celebrating inspirational women from Northumberland.
• One entry per school.

Grants:

• Top three schools with the most comprehensive and compelling bids will be awarded £500
• Winning schools will need to deliver their performance in school on week commencing 2 March 2020.

Closing date for entries: 5pm, Monday 17 February 2020

Entries to be submitted by post or email to: Leader’s Office, County Hall, Morpeth,

Northumberland. NE61 2EF or IWD2020@northumberland.gov.uk

Inspirational Young Women Awards

Submission Criteria:

• Nominations can be made for any young woman attending full or part time education within Northumberland under the age of 25 years.
• The individual needs to be able to demonstrate that they make an outstanding contribution to residents within Northumberland and/or the County itself.
• The individual needs to be a resident in the County of Northumberland.

Categories:

• Years Reception – Year 4
• Years 5 – 8
• Years 9 – 12
• Under 21 years
• Under 25 years

Prizes:

• Winner: £100 for the award winning individual in each category
• Runner up: £50 for the runner up individual in each category
• The overall winner will be awarded Northumberland’s Inspirational Young Woman 2020 and receive an iPad.

Closing date for nominations: 5pm, Wednesday 26 February 2020

Nominations to be submitted by post or email to: Leader’s Office, County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland. NE61 2EF or IWD2020@northumberland.gov.uk

Pictured at past International Women’s Day event at The Fuse Centre, Prudhoe are:
Inspector Pam Bridges, neighbourhood officer at Northumbria Police; Penni Blythe from ‘Emily Inspires’; and Cllr Cath Homer, cabinet member for culture, arts, leisure and tourism at Northumberland County Council.