ASEAN–Australia BRIDGE School Partnerships Program: Winning Student Stories Announced

ASEAN–Australia BRIDGE School Partnerships Program: Winning Student Stories Announced

The ASEAN–Australia Centre and Asialink Education are thrilled to announce the winning collaborative stories as part of the First Nations Storytelling Student Workshops of the ASEAN–Australia BRIDGE School Partnerships Program.

Primary Teams

1st prize

Naga and the Rainbow Serpent, by Suankularb Wittayalai Nonthaburi School, Thailand, and Cowes Primary School, VIC

This story is a culturally rich and imaginative narrative that creatively fuses Thai and Indigenous Australian traditions through the symbolic connection of two serpents. It delivers a clear moral—“you reap what you sow”—while cleverly linking mythological elements to real-world geography, explaining why Australia’s centre is dry. The collaboration between schools is evident, with engaging visuals and student-created artwork enhancing the storytelling. Although the tonality of narration and lack of action shots slightly reduced engagement, the production quality and creative concept stand out, making this a compelling and meaningful cross-cultural story.

2nd prize

A Chance to Change Forever, by Mee Toh School, Singapore, and Glendal Primary School, VIC

This story is a powerful and thought-provoking narrative that creatively integrates environmental themes with cultural depth, blending Australia’s and Singapore’s histories and landmarks. It delivers a clear moral about sustainability and the lasting impact of present actions, supported by time-travel elements and vivid descriptions that make the storyline engaging. The collaboration between both cultures is evident, and while the character arc is somewhat predictable, the creative concept, historical references, and strong cultural ties ensure originality and resonance.

Please read the story here.

Special Mention

Sam and the Giant of the Mekong River, by Virathavone School, Laos

This story is a creative and culturally significant narrative cantered on the Mekong River catfish, a symbol of strength and prosperity in Asian traditions. It delivers a clear environmental message about protecting nature, reinforced by the dramatic transformation of the main character into a catfish. The presentation was highly engaging, with strong narration, impressive props, costumes, and sound effects that showcased the students’ commitment and creativity. While collaboration with the partner school was limited (if any) and the storyline somewhat predictable, the effort, cultural connection, and imaginative execution make this story memorable and impactful.

Secondary Teams

1st prize

Bakunawa and the Rainbow Serpent, by Luis Y. Ferrer Jr. Senior High School, Philippines, and Allegra School Coffs Harbour, NSW

This story is a highly creative and culturally rich narrative that masterfully intertwines Filipino and Aboriginal mythologies through the characters of Bakunawa and the Rainbow Serpent. It showcases vivid imagery, strong cultural symbolism, and an innovative fusion of two distinct traditions, highlighting the importance of harmony between people and nature. The collaboration between cultures is evident and well-executed, supported by engaging visuals, effective tone in storytelling, and a dynamic plot. While the moral could have been slightly clearer at the end, the story remains deeply engaging and original, making it a standout example of cross-cultural creativity.

2nd prize

The Guardian of the River, by Southbridge International School Cambodia, and Thach That Lower Secondary School, Vietnam

This story is a beautifully written and culturally rich narrative that weaves Southeast Asian mythology into a vivid and imaginative plot. It features strong moral lessons about balance, respect for nature, and the consequences of greed, while showcasing ancestral connections and harmony between people and the environment. The collaboration between Vietnam and Cambodia is evident, with descriptive language, clear structure, and engaging imagery that make the story compelling. Although some events unfold predictably, the creative transformation of the naga and the integration of cultural elements ensure the story remains original and impactful.

Please read the story here.

3rd prize

Merit and Dream, by Chiang Rai Provincial Admininstrative Organisation School, Thailand, and Hurlstone Agricultural High School, NSW

This story is a creative and collaborative blend of Thai and Australian cultural elements, beautifully incorporating traditional practices like giving gifts for merit and the Aboriginal Tiddalik creation story. It conveys powerful morals about honesty, generosity, and shared values across cultures, emphasizing that “goodness is the same in every culture.” The narrative is visually engaging with watercolour illustrations and thoughtfully ties similarities and differences between the two cultures into a cohesive storyline. While tonality and visual engagement could be slightly improved, the story stands out for its originality, cultural depth, and meaningful lessons.

The ASEAN–Australia BRIDGE School Partnerships Program is an initiative of the ASEAN–Australia Centre and is implemented by Asialink Education (formerly Asia Education Foundation) at the University of Melbourne.