School celebrates writers fest return

A SCHOOL’S two-week initiative aimed at improving students’ writing has returned.

Parents, pupils, and staff took part in a recent celebration day for Napoleons Primary School’s second annual writers festival, with the halls decorated with student works on the theme of Indigenous Australia.

Learning specialist and grade 5/6 teacher Judy Hutt coordinated the program, and said a key aim was to keep pupils engaged with writing beyond the festival’s fun.

“We were really impressed with last year and the students’ success and the enthusiasm they had,” she said.

“Not only has it been a focus for our writer’s festival, it’s also a focus on the whole school for building their capacity and enthusiasm about writing.

“They’re challenging themselves a bit more and writing for a purpose instead of just in their book where no-one ever sees them again.”

As part of the festival damper-making demonstrations were held at the school’s entrance while students went on a symbol search for Koorie icons.

Exhibited works included automated displays, dot-paintings, and original Dreamtime stories created by the school’s senior students, and an art piece depicting Bunjil the Eagle.

A fieldtrip to Mount Buninyong and Sovereign Hill took place on the festival’s first day.

Grade 6 student Ava Collins created seven works including a Dreamtime inspired story called Why Turtles Are So Slow and a recounting of their excursion.

“I’ve loved making the art out of what we’ve done,” she said. “I was involved in last year’s festival. It’s definitely improved my writing in terms of my ‘wow-words’ and how much I write.”

The festival ended the following day, coinciding with National Sorry Day last Friday.