General News
4 January, 2025
Summer reading: For the love of words
By CHRIS EARL PASSION for the English language of Boort District School literacy specialist Sharon Pickering triggered the arrival last week of authors, songwriters and journalists to inspire students. Sharon’s plans for the school’s first...
By CHRIS EARL
PASSION for the English language of Boort District School literacy specialist Sharon Pickering triggered the arrival last week of authors, songwriters and journalists to inspire students.
Sharon’s plans for the school’s first writers’ festival had grown beyond a couple of guests talking to students.
Her crusade had captured the imagination of students from prep all the way through to current school captains Eddie Moresi, Lucy Malone and Eliza Perryman who praised “Pickers” love of words and drive in staging the one-day event.
Sharon looked outside the square. She assembled a panel to talk about how English was used in everyday working life.
Former students Renae Chambers and ABC radio journalist Angus Verley along with Tori Gentle from North Central LLEN and Loddon Herald managing editor Chris Earl shared their experiences of school, learning and taking those experiences into professional careers.
Angus was keen to be part of the festival, taking time out from holidays back on the family farm helping with shearing, to be part of the panel discussion on Zoom.
And then there were the authors of children’s books across all genres - Amy Doak, Fleur Ferris, Jack Henseleit and Andrew Kelly, singer/songwriter Connor Dougan and illustrator Chris Kennett.
Students explored how authors used real life experiences and workshops with the writers in morning and afternoon sessions.
A final festival assembly saw students presented with prizes in special literacy competitions.
“Pickers” was quick to tell students that there was an amazing team behind the festival’s success.
“Please make sure to mention that it was a team effort from Sue Gould, Annie Meadows, Molly Meadows and Matt Allan,” she said straight afterwards. It was the team, Pickers said, that had gained the support of businesses across the district to provide prizes for the festival.”
Sharon and her team said there were plans for future writers’ festivals, perhaps not every year, but with the potential to involve more youngsters from across the region.
Established writers’ festival in Melbourne and other large cities include days aimed at engaging students.
But Boort’s literary initiative is one of the few to have quickly engaged a school cohort in its own backyard.
“The day was a definite career highlight for me, and the feedback we’ve received from students, staff, parents, guests and helpers has been overwhelmingly positive,” she said.
Until the next Boort festival, Sharon hopes students will continue to be inspired by words.