Shichida Graduate Earns Silver in The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition
Shichida Highpoint graduate Aaron has received a Silver Award in The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition 2026, earning international recognition for his writing on his first attempt.
Organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society, the competition received a record-breaking 53,840 entries from across 56 Commonwealth member countries.
Imagining a More Sustainable World
The 2026 competition’s theme, Common Ground: Better Together, invited young writers to consider the connections between people and communities across the Commonwealth.
Aaron chose a topic asking entrants to imagine a world where sustainable choices shape every part of daily life, and to describe a day in that world. His response brought together creative writing and ideas about caring for the environment.
His mum, Sarika, shared the news with the team at Shichida Highpoint:
“We are incredibly proud of Aaron’s achievement, particularly as this was his first time entering the competition. It is wonderful to see his creativity and writing recognised on such an international platform.”
From Toddler Classes to the Primary School Program
Aaron joined Shichida classes when he was just under two years old. He continued through the program, graduating from the Primary School Program in 2025.
Over those seven years, Shichida was a regular part of his learning alongside school, family life and his own developing interests.
Creative writing is a key focus of Shichida’s Primary School Program. Children practise researching topics, gathering and organising ideas, writing drafts and editing their own work. They learn tools to develop their ideas and express themselves in their own words, building skills they can apply across different topics and writing tasks.
When sharing his award, Sarika reflected on what that experience had meant to her family:
“We are also very grateful to all the teachers at Shichida for nurturing his curiosity, creativity and confidence, and for encouraging him to explore his interests and develop as a learner.”
Her words recognise qualities that are so important beyond the classroom: being curious, developing ideas and having the confidence to express them.
Achievements in Writing and Maths
Alongside creative writing, Shichida’s Primary School Program also gives children regular practice in mental maths, times tables and calculation strategies, helping them build speed and accuracy alongside logical reasoning and problem-solving.
Aaron has also taken on challenges in maths beyond the classroom. In 2025, Aaron participated in the Open International Maths Challenge, progressing to Round 2 and achieving a global ranking at the 90.72nd percentile, earning him the ‘IMC Elitist’ title.
These achievements in writing and maths give Aaron and his family plenty to celebrate, and we look forward to seeing what he chooses to take on next.
Congratulations, Aaron, on your well-earned Silver Award and the thought and effort behind it! We are proud to have been part of your early learning years, and grateful to Sarika for sharing this milestone with the Shichida team.
What will spark your child’s curiosity? From memory games and early number activities to creative thinking and hands-on learning games, Shichida gives children opportunities to explore and build confidence as they learn. You’ll also discover practical ways to encourage your child’s interests and continue enjoying learning together at home between weekly classes.
Join your child for a trial class and discover how our program could support their learning journey.
Book a trial class at your nearest centre.
