Binit Binit Learning Community hosts fun, interactive writing festival

The event involved schools in the region providing opportunities for students to develop their interests and skills in writing.

At Berinba Public School (BPS), students engaged in writing based on a surprise 'crime scene' at their school on Monday, May 7.

Assistant principal Belinda Brown said this involved students investigating their theories about the prime suspects in Humpty Dumpty's case.

“The investigation was week long, and the theories were overwhelming to a couple of teachers on site.

“The whole school community has been enthralled in the investigation and the writing stimulus has provided amazing opportunities for success and creative thinking,” Ms Brown said.

Other activities for writing week included a competition in which finalists will be displayed at the Yass Library shortly.

There will also be a writers camp on June 14–15 and 80 children from nine different schools will be invited to participate.

BPS’ facebook post following the crime scene has received more than 450 reactions from education colleagues.

Ms Brown said it had been viewed “45,000 times with many schools looking for inspiration to excite children about writing”.

Meanwhile at Yass Public School, all stage-one classes (years 1–2) did descriptions of their mums for Mother’s Day.

Teacher Lisa Marple said classes had been undertaking some extra activities that highlight the fun that writing can generate.

“Including writing some sizzling starts and character descriptions and taking some time out of class to share writing with others,” Ms Marple said.

She said that the activity that students had enjoyed the most had been the creation of a whole-school continuous story.

“Starting in kindergarten and making its way throughout the school, this story has evoked some laughs along the way whilst also incorporating some of the ‘Seven Steps’ writing techniques that all students have been learning,” she said.

“The growing enthusiasm that students are showing for writing was displayed this week through both the writing competition entries and the nominations for writer’s camp.

“While the writing competition doesn’t close until this Friday, there are already more entries than we received last year.

“To add to that, we have been overwhelmed with self-nominations from students to attend this year’s writer’s camp,” Ms Marple said.

The Binit Binit Learning Community was formed in 2016 by schools in Yass Valley and surrounding areas, which include Yass High, Yass Public, Berinba, Binalong, Boorowa, Gunning, Dalton, Bowning, Wee Jasper and Rye Park.