Students from Taylors Lakes Secondary College celebrated Education Week in style with a visit from popular children’s author Oliver Phommavanh.
As part of the schools Excellence and High Abilities Program, the library staff at Taylors Lakes Secondary College organised for Mr Phommavanh to present to all Year 7 students.
Teacher-librarian Penny Earl said it was a great opportunity for students to hear from a successful author.
“Having a young adult author visit your school is one of the most motivating ways of getting students to read and write more,” she said.
“Oliver Phommavanh was able to weave his magic with our students and was able to spread his message of reading and writing in an engaging and humorous manner. The students loved him.”
Using his experience as a primary school teacher, Mr Phommavanh shares his passion for writing with kids and has performed at various comedy and writers festivals around Australia and Asia.
Author of Thai-riffic!, Con-nerd, Punchlines, Thai-no-mite, Stuff Happens: Ethan, The Other
Christy, Super Con-nerd, Natural Born Loser, Don’t Follow Vee and Brain Freeze. Mr Phommavanh’s books are packed with laughs but also share the story of authentic characters living in a multicultural Australia.
‘What about Thao’, Mr Phommavanh’s most recent novel, is a 2023 Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book for Younger Readers.
Mr Phommavanh’s visit on May 19, coincided with Education Week and was also in support of the library’s Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge reading program.
Hannah Hammoud
