Star Weekly is looking back at the best stories of last year and this is one of them.
June 27
Taylors Lakes Secondary College students put their creative thinking skills to the test as they participated in a 12-hour writing marathon to raise money for kids with cancer.
Huddled into four groups, each group of students were tasked with writing an entire book in one day to raise money for The Kids’ Cancer Project, an independent national charity which supports childhood cancer research.
English teacher Stephanie Burrafato said the students were excited to put together their unique ideas to write something that may engage other children their age.
“This is for a good cause, where the students can learn about how the work they do can impact their community in a positive way,” she said.
The four groups were each given different topics to write on and given the parameter to include a unique Australian identity or culture to their stories.
Each of the four stories dives into a separate story plot ranging from, finding buried treasure, a gift of kindness, a journey to another planet and a roof caved in.
Working together to write from 8am to 8pm, Ms Burrafato said she enjoyed watching students buzz with excitement in the morning when they first got to see their topics.
“… It is great watching them identify the strengths in each of their group members and using their strengths to work on perfecting different parts of their book. They recognise who is a strong illustrator, writer and even editor,” she said.
“At the end of the day, it is great watching them walk out of the library with great grins on their faces, excitedly telling their parents or guardians how much fun they had with their friends throughout the day.”
