After a day of creativity our campers still had the energy for some night activities. Their writing and acting talents were put to the test during a performance of Fractured Fairy Tales. Very impressive results for limited preparation time! I am trying to capture everyone on film, but some of our students are a little elusive and camera shy…
Our annual ‘Writers in the Environment’ camp has begun for its 19th consecutive year. We have a lovely bunch of students from schools across Sydney who have come to soak up some creativity, nature and writing tips from Simon French (our long time writer in residence), Danielle Chew (from Barnier Public School) and our visiting authors, Susanne Gervay, James Roy and Sue Whiting.
Students enjoyed some workshops, writing time, dipnetting and a bushwalk to the river today. Looking forward to some creativity tonight with our Fractured Fairy Tales!
Earthkeepers is an old world, mystical ecology program for Stage 2 students and some little munchkins from Boronia Park are now well on their way to becoming Level 1 Earthkeepers after completing our 3 day camp. We were impressed with their energy and enthusiasm and can see that they now have a broader understanding of how humans and natural systems rely on each other.
Thanks so much to our parent helpers and teachers Angie and Josh for putting in the hard yards over the three days to give the students the best possible camp!
Enjoy the photos and I hope that the students discover the final meanings of E.M. in their studies back at school.
If you would like to run Earthkeepers at your school please see the program details here.
During writers camp last week, students composed eco-mystery stories using iPads and an app called Book Creator.
We were so impressed with their use of technology as well as the creative writing skills that emerged. A big thank you to Danielle Chew from Barnier Public School who facilitated these workshops.
Here is a sample of some of the works produced in a PDF format. Well done to all the young writers involved!
The case of the ringtail possum
The Legend Of The Kangawullafox
After an intense day 2 of all things literary, we all headed up to our local oval to use up some energy. Students tried to master the art of throwing boomerangs, spears and woomera’s. The day was finished off with some games of soccer and cricket.
After a hearty breakfast and another good nights sleep (amazing!), students enjoyed an Aboriginal Cultural talk from Wiradjuri Man – James Stephens. James is one of our regular Aboriginal Educators and we were all very privileged to soak up his knowledge and stories of Aboriginal culture.
After morning tea, students continued their writing journey with Simon French and Danielle Chew. I managed to capture some writing on film for you to read below. The stories from the iPads will be published next week after we troubleshoot some technical issues! Thank you to all our budding young authors for attending camp and good luck in the future!
We are so fortunate every year to entice some brilliant children’s authors out to Brewongle to pass on their talents to the students. This year is no exception with Suzanne Gervay sharing her compassion, passion and exceptional skills in connecting with students during her workshops.
Richard Tulloch last visited us three years ago and it is such a pleasure to have him back. He is a world traveller and apart from his excellent books he also writes a great blog that is well worth a read. Richard had the students madly writing and sharing in his workshop today.
Pamela Freeman has also returned to Brewongle this year and the students were enjoying her expressive style and creating a story that involved a unicorn when I popped into the workshop for a look. Pamela also showcased her percussive talents during a music session at recess.
This impromptu music session had us all clapping and tapping. Thanks to the students who joined in and tried out their guitar and drumming skills!
The creativity was flowing into the evening of our annual Writers Camp. Our talented group of year six students created some “Fractured Fairytales” and performed them for everone’s amusement.
We were so impressed with the acting talents of all these young writers. After much grinning and giggling, We devoured some supper and headed to cabins before the rain began. Many stories were told into the night – especially by the boys cabin, but most were snoring and dreaming by 11pm. This is very impressive for first night of camp!
Enjoy the photos and there will be more to come – as Day 2 is our famous author day with Suzanne Gervay, Pamela Freeman and RIchard Tulloch. Even as I write, students are ensconced in workshops and soaking up the creativity!
Our annual “Writers in the Environment Camp” for year 6 writers is into its 25th year and our 2015 students are in camp and busy exercising their creative juices already. We hope to have a few ‘Eco Mystery’ stories ready to publish on this blog by Friday as our young authors try to marry technology (iPads and iBooks) with their creative writing skills.
Students are currently engaged in workshops with our Writer in Residence – Simon French. Simon has been to every one of the 25 Writers Camps and we are so grateful to him for supporting this camp and giving up his time to share his skills with the students. Danielle Chew from Barnier Public Schools is also leading the students on the path to creating an eco-mystery by Friday. We hope they are all up to the challenge!
Our day begun with some ‘get to know you games’ that allowed students from so many different schools to begin forming some friendships and bonds.
More updates to follow – so stay tuned!
Our annual “Writers in the Environment” camp is filling up fast – however we still have 5 places left if you have some keen literary talents in your student body. This is one of our most popular and anticipated programs and is running this year from the 2nd to the 4th of September for Stage 3 students.
Famous visiting authors this year include: Simon French, Susanne Gervay, Richard Tulloch and Pamela Freeman
Download the nomination form: 2015 Writers in the Environment Nomination Form
Read about 2014 writers camp here and watch the student video below.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
John Quincy Adams
Have you selected your student leaders for next year? Would you like to involve them in an exciting new leadership program that will build their skills and help them drive school and community projects? Brewongle EEC has developed a new leadership award for Primary School students that is designed to do just this. Inspired by the Duke of Edinburgh’s award that is available in high schools, this is a modified version suitable for stages 2 & 3 students.
The award begins with students attending a Leadership Camp at Brewongle EEC. They will be challenged through a series of outdoor adventure based teamwork, leadership and environmental activities.
To complete the award over the school year, students will need to embark upon projects in the areas of environmental, community and school leadership. These projects will be undertaken by students as a group or individually and a minimum of 6 hours will need to be devoted to each.
Have a look at the Leadership Award Booklet to discover that the award is easy to run and administer in your school. You may in fact already be doing many of these things with your students and the award may provide a way to tie them all together, providing motivation for success.
Contact us to book your place for next year!
Brewongle Environmental Education Centre 