Last Monday, forty-six excited students from Book Club and ILP Creative Writing class, embarked on a journey by train to Chatswood early in the morning to attend the Sydney Writers’ Festival’s Secondary School Day.
We were entertained by young adult author Jack Heath whose energy for reading and writing was contagious. Slam Poetry star, New Yorker, Elizabeth Acevedo, performed her own “An Ode to Rats” poem, and read from her latest book “The Poet X”. Graham Ackhurst, a Fulbright Scholar from Kokomini told us the intriguing story behind his acclaimed debut novel “Borderland”. The readings from his novel left us wanting for more. Finally, C. S. Pacat, a fantasy novelist, proved a fountain of knowledge and wisdom when it comes to writing, how to create characters, worlds and narrative traction.
Between author talks we managed to make time for lunch, purchasing books, and book signings. For some students this was their first time catching a train, their first time in Sydney without their family and for some, the first time in a concert hall. This is the largest group we have invited to the festival, which brings an added pressure on teachers and students. However, the students’ impeccable conduct and ability to follow instructions made the journey a pleasure for all. Thank you to all parents and carers for allowing students this enriching and entertaining experience. ~ Ms Skarstein, Ms Crawley and Ms Foster.
