2018 School Magazine

SPRING HILL YOUNG WRITERS' GROUP This year, eight lucky Brisbane Girls Grammar School students were offered an exciting opportunity to write collaboratively as a part of the Spring Hill Young Writers' Group. This was a team effort, involving 32 students in Year 7 from Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Brisbane Grammar School, All Hallows' School and St Joseph's Gregory Terrace. The students worked with Australian author, Mr Lance Balchin, to enhance their writing skills and creativity. The group collaborated over a series of workshops to produce original short stories inspired by the unique creatures of Balchin’s Mechanica (2016). Year 7 student, Lucy Williamson (7W), said, ‘The Young Writers program was one of the best school experiences this year. One task was to create a Photoshop image out of scrap pieces of metal, which broadened my skills and taught me so much about technology.’ These creatures, and the imaginary world in which they exist, served as the foundation of each individual short story.

Throughout the program, students had the opportunity to collaborate not only with Mr Balchin, but a variety of students. Evelyn Ma (7R) enjoyed this element, stating, ‘I made many new friends with the students from other schools and it was an amazing opportunity to write and have discussions with an experienced, true author.’ Finally, Lauren Zillman (7H) was inspired to think outside the box, praising how the program, ‘let me know that it is okay to think big and come up with a completely insane idea that you love.’ It is clear the girls fully embraced the opportunities offered, and we look forward to reading more of their exciting work in the future.

Ms Kathryn Talbot ENGLISH TEACHER

BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL 2018 | CO-CURRICULUM | 101