MORE than 80 enthusiastic, creative thinking students – representing some of Whitsundays schools – have travelled to Mackay to participate in this year’s Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival.
The annual event took place at the Whitsunday Anglican School campus, which opens its doors to youth to celebrate writing, reading and creative thinking.
During the festival, 46 students in Years Four to Six, from Queens Beach State School, had the opportunity to meet and connect with inspiring Australian authors, such as indigenous storyteller and songwriter Lucas Proudfoot, children’s author Kate Foster, and Nat Amoore.
“It was an amazing experience for Queens Beach students to connect with real-life authors as a part of our enrichment program,” Queens Beach schoolteacher Tenille Piggin said.
Students in Years Seven to 12, from Proserpine State High School (PSHS), also participated in writing and art workshops at the event, held on July 14, where they learnt useful skills.
“They learnt some valuable skills on how to use dialogue, ‘less is more’, and using descriptive language, and the students have already been able to apply these skills to their work at school, and teach others what they learnt,” PSHS teacher Rachel Noble said.
The experience was inspirational not only for the kids but also for the accompanying teachers who attended the festival.
“Our teachers were also able to share these ideas with other teachers and students back at school,” Ms Piggin said.
“We also purchased a range of books for our school library, and we were very lucky to meet and get Lucas Proudfoot, Nat Amore and Kate Foster to sign them. “The students and teachers were very star struck!”
