Students with a passion for creative writing at Rockhampton State High School have the opportunity to take their interest a step further by working with Australian authors and developing their own stories for publication through the online technology platform, Littlescribe.
Part of this innovative creative writing program sees Australian author, Josh Donellan – an expert in the industry- visiting Rockhampton State High School in October, to work face-to-face with students on developing and publishing their own creative writing.
During the intensive creative writing workshop, students will create an environmental fairy tale or fable, using storytelling to explore an issue that matters to them.
One of the most exciting aspects of the initiative, however, is that students’ work will extend far beyond the classroom. Students will be supported, both as part of the ‘author in residence’ experience and virtually, to develop an idea through each stage of the writing process; this will culminate in the publication of their own work. The result of the writing process will be something tangible, which students can share with their families and celebrate with the wider community.
Mr Newell said it was exactly the type of opportunity the school wanted students to have access to.
“We want our students to see that what they create can come to life outside an assessment task or an exercise book,” he said.
“To be able to finish this experience holding something they have written and published themselves would be pretty special.”
The Littlescribe experience extends beyond author visits, however, with all junior English students enjoying virtual access to masterclasses and resources featuring twelve Australian authors, including Jackie French and Tristan Bancks. Through this interaction, students will be exposed to a variety of creative writing techniques and approaches to writing with a view to applying the skills to their own writing.
For English Head of Department, Teri Garner, who is overseeing and facilitating the program at Rocky High with Teaching and Learning Head of Department, Clare Bielenberg, bringing those opportunities directly to regional students was the major motivation behind the project.
"We've had some great authors visit Rocky High over the years, and I really wanted to build on that experience and provide our students with access to authors they might not otherwise have the opportunity to work with," Ms Garner said.
"Being regional can make experiences of this nature harder to access. This initiative brings published authors from the page into our classrooms, enriching and strengthening, not only our Creative Writing School of Excellence program but the creative writing aspect of our English curriculum. Connecting virtually with authors from across Australia also gives our students a fantastic opportunity to engage directly with published authors and learn more about the craft of writing.
This initiative is proudly supported by the Rockhampton State High School P&C, whose generous backing has helped bring it to life for our students.
Mr Newell, Principal of Rockhampton State High School, said the P&C continued to play an important role in helping the school provide experiences outside what is ordinarily offered.
“Our P&C gets excited about opportunities for our students too. When we bring them an idea that can give students a worthwhile experience, they want to be involved and help us make it happen,” he said.
The opportunity will also extend beyond Rocky High, with the school inviting its primary feeder schools to nominate students with an interest in creative writing to participate in the author experience alongside year 7 students.
For Ms Garner and Ms Bielenberg, opening the experience to younger writers was an important addition to the program.
"We would love to inspire younger students who already have a real interest in creative writing to come Rocky High, work with Josh Donellan and perhaps consider joining our Creative Writing Excellence program."
The reach of the program will also extend to teachers. A professional development session with Jenny Atkinson – the founder and CEO of Littlescribe - will be opened to educators from surrounding schools, giving them the opportunity to engage with the program and take new ideas and approaches back to their own classrooms.
For young writers at Rockhampton State High School, and the surrounding community, the Littlescribe initiative is an opportunity for students to develop an idea of their own, learn from people who understand the writing process firsthand and, ultimately, see their work in print.