NATIONAL AWARD, WHAT

 TALENTED STUDENTS!!

For the first time in its five-year history at Ballarat High School, one of our teams was not only shortlisted but went on to win the National Award for Best Illustrated Novel at a Middle Years level. 

The team, Always Write, comprised of Zeqoya Cook, Sophie Dutli, Alanah Hickson, Torrens Kennedy and Conar Vanderpol, began their undertaking at 8am on Friday 14th August – during our second phase of Remote Learning and lock down. The creativity, teamwork and enthusiasm demonstrated by all the participants of the project was nothing short of incredible as they crafted stories several thousand words in length and illustrated throughout over the course of the day. Zeqoya, Sophie, Alanah, Torrens and Conar were tasked with creating a story from their randomly generated parameters; featuring an Environmental Scientist, a Sculpter and a Seal, set at a pet shop and exploring the issue of the discovery of magical powers. Locked behind closed doors is a story of three seemingly unconnected individuals who experience a magical adventure, filled with mystery and betrayal. Conar created the detailed and intriguing illustrations to accompany this fantastical tale. The whole team is to be congratulated on their amazing efforts.

In addition to this wonderful success, 2020 saw the largest number of students participating in Write a Book in a Day for Ballarat High School. Across 9 teams from Year 7 right through to Year 12, sixty students took part in this incredible program. And not only did each team produce a fabulous book but collectively, the Ballarat High School teams raised $3665 for The Kid’s Cancer Project – a national charity supporting children’s cancer research. None of this could have been possible without the assistance from Miriam Fox, Jacqueline Wheldon and Rosalie Corbett, as well as the generosity, encouragement and support from students’ families and friends. The kindness and creativity this program inspires will never cease to amaze me and I am so grateful to have once again coordinated and facilitated the event for Ballarat High School.

 Olivia French