Level 6

Heathmont East Students Thrilled by Melbourne Writers Festival Visit

Heathmont East students had an unforgettable day at the Melbourne Writers Festival Schools program at State Library Victoria last week. It was attended by a lucky group of Level 6 students who love the writing process. The event was lively, inspiring, and full of chances for students to connect with authors, illustrators. Our students were left buzzing excited by new ideas, eager to read and write more, and energised by what they had learned from each presenter.

Who did the student meet and hear:

Olivia Muscat told stories that celebrate difference and joy. Students were captivated by Olivia Muscat’s storytelling and stage presence. Olivia’s warmth and humour helped students see how stories can change the way we think about disability and difference. Many students said they enjoyed her vivid descriptions of colour, music, and her guide dog, Jemima. Classroom takeaways: using voice and detail to build empathy in writing and thinking about perspective; how an author’s experiences shape their stories.

James Foley was extremely funny, showing how big laughs make for engaging reading. James had every student laughing while also showing how personal stories and playful ideas become books. His energetic reading and talk about making funny picture books and graphic novels helped students understand how illustration and text work together. Pupils connected his examples to their own writing, noting how humour, character choices, and surprising images can make a story memorable. Students learned combining words and pictures to tell a story and using voice and humour to engage readers should be the main driver of expression.

Dr Niraj Lal brought science alive with clear explanations and enthusiasm. Students learned how writers and communicators translate complex scientific ideas for young audiences, particularly in the space of social media. He modelled how curiosity and careful understanding of our current social media experience can be sometimes damaging.

Penny Tangey’s session showed students how humour and strong characters can carry a story through serious themes, like friendships and the climate crisis in Music Camp. She explained how research, observation, and everyday detail help writers create believable characters and relationships. She demonstrated how concerned she was about global warming and how it strongly crept into her story as an important theme.

The Melbourne Writers Festival Schools program gave Level 6 Heathmont East students a practical and inspiring model of how stories, science, performance, and humour combine to make powerful writing and reading experiences. The day didn’t just entertain, it left students with clear understanding of VOICE. Leaving your real self in anything you write marks your presence in the world. Miss Kennedy and Mr Exton felt very privileged to take such a wonderful group of students to such an inspiring event.