Last Thursday, 54 excited Year 7 to 10 students put on their creative hats to attempt to write a book in a day. The Kid’s Cancer Project runs this national event, and all final books are given to sick children in hospitals around Australia to read. At Kennedy, the Research and Study Centre (RASC) organised the day, which ran from 8 am to 8 pm. Students formed five teams and took over the entire RASC for the day. Each team had to write at least 3,500 words and set parameters at the start of the day. These parameters included random primary characters, a setting, an issue, and five words. They also had minimal guidance from the teaching staff involved on the day to create an independent, student-led activity.
The books, including illustrations, were all submitted online in a flurry within the last 30 minutes of the day. Students had commented before the day that it would be easy to write a novella within 12 hours. However, I am sure they can now agree that isn’t the case! The day was a valuable one for each student as they learnt the following life skills:
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Communication skills
- Self-direction
The teams produced books that were fun, inventive and creative. The book titles were When We See the Swan; Stolen on the Shore; Panic! At the Dog Pound; Next Channel; The Christmas Incident; The Musicians Café; and, The Treasure Hunt.
This competition is also a community fundraising event. Money raised by students goes to The Kids’ Cancer Project. This year our students have currently raised an impressive amount of $3,360, with more still coming in.
Well done to all the students and staff involved in this unique event.
Ms Natasha Georgiou
Head of Research and Study
