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!
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.
Today is author day! Deborah Abela, James Roy, Suzanne Gervay and our writer in residence Simon French join us today to pass on their genius and help our young writers on their literary journey.
Camp Diary, Thursday 4th September 2014
9.45 am: I am sitting now with the inspiring and dynamic Deborah Abela and she is making a cake…. Well she is using cake making as an analogy for writing. The key ingredients being characters, a setting and plenty of disasters to befall them. The students are right now deciding on mega problems to befall their characters. So far we have had suggestions of the room catching fire, spiders falling from the roof and Deborah Abela turning evil. Character development is crucial and Deborah uses the mantra “show, not tell”. Show the layers of your character through the narrative, and avoid telling of their traits directly. The students are now having to develop a clumsy fairy character without using the words ‘fairy’ or ‘clumsy’!
Grimsdon is Deborah’s environmental novel born out of frustration at global governments and the massive knights helmets used to protect London from flooding. Love it!
11.30am: What a recess we just had! James produced his ukelele and my guitar ended up in the hands of some very talented students and music was born! Nice work Kara and Charlotte and the chorus line of everybody else who sang Riptide by Vance Joy beautifully!
11.45 am: I am now sitting with James Roy and about 15 students discussing our favourite pixar films. James has a fantastic ability to engage students and make them laugh. Pixar have 22 rules of storytelling that James thinks are pretty darn good. He just shared a very short story/joke that evoked a giggle in everyone. “Dwarf shortage.” Politically correct? Probably not.
James has distributed some story starters – here is a selection that will trigger emotions.
“I bought the coolest phone on the planet – but it still only rings as often as my old phone did.”
“I have a few unusual talents that I keep hidden because it makes me uncomfortable to stand out in a crowd.”
I’m still in love with her. I hope she reads this, and recognises my handwriting. This is also my last try.”
1.45pm: In the old classroom with a crackling fire and the marvelous Suzanne Gervay. Suzanne has been with the writers camp since the beginning all those years ago and is still as emotive, dynamic and caring as always. She has suggested that we should make a plaque in her honour…. next year Suzanne!
Suzanne has a way of including and engaging all students in her presence and empowering them to be creative. I have been so impressed with the insights and depth of thinking from all the students and Suzanne has managed to bring out even more of that in the young people present. Suzanne believes that stories need to be real and have heart. Her series of ‘Jack’ books embody this. She is pretty chuffed with herself that she has just finished the 4th and final Jack book. The Jack books will also be made into a television series. Very cool and brilliant news for readers!
She is exploring what really matters to all of us right now and we have hit on bullying and the power struggles that go on in the school playground and the global playground – many of which are causing some of us to fear and despair. These are the topics that Suzanne wants us to write about. The topics that really matter and that we care about, topics that reach into the core of your beliefs and thinking and require risk to write.
48 budding young authors have descended on Brewongle for 3 days of creativity and fun. Schools have sent their best literary types to meet famous authors, complete writing workshops, write aplenty and enjoy the usual array of awesome camp activities.
As I am feeling distinctly average as a wordsmith amongst this fine company, today I will post a photo journal. I may post some of the writing that emerges from the students over the following days.
Brewongle Environmental Education Centre 