Last Friday 13 June, Write a Book in a Day was held in Wirrkuta Trruku activity hall at St John’s Campus. A total of 49 students from Years 5–9 from all three campuses worked in small groups to write a book, from start to finish. This process took 12 hours, from 8am–8pm.

At the beginning of the day students were given a sheet with certain parameters and random words that had to appear in their story. Students brainstormed ideas and then started creating digital stories aimed at children aged 10–16 years. These books are given to sick children in hospitals around Australia. Some of the finished book titles included The quest of the Lost Chicken, Where did Gooey go?, The Explorer and the Didgeridoo and A Shaken World Called Barnia.

Throughout the day there was a lovely buzz in the room as students worked together on their stories, either as an author, illustrator or editor. It was wonderful seeing the students from different campuses collaborating together or helping each other with technical problems during the day.

By 8pm there were many tired students (and teachers!) but all were very satisfied that they had produced a book in a day! Each student will get a printed copy of their book.

Nolene Thiele
Resource Manager – St John’s Campus

Hajnalka Molloy
Learning Resources Manager