RIPPLES
Primary Schools Program 2023
Friday June 2
Venue 1: Umina Beach Surf Lifesaving Club
Venue 2: University of Newcastle, Ourimbah Campus
In 2023, the Kids & Schools Program rebrands as Ripples; creating small waves with a big impact for the children and youth of the Central Coast. For the first time ever, this Primary School Program will be offered simultaneously in two locations (North and South Central Coast) on Friday June 2. Please explore below…
For visiting primary school and secondary school groups, we offer author panels and author workshops.
The author panels and talks offer a select group of authors and illustrators space to talk about their craft and engage with the students. These sessions can cater to larger groups, from 60 to 300.
The author workshops offer a select group of authors and illustrators space to demonstrate knowledge and stimulate creativity in a more intensive, hands-on context. These sessions can cater to smaller groups, capped at 25. Our workshops will encourage young people to open their imaginations and be bold in their creative writing, and may result in a creative writing output. These workshops require the student to purchase the presenting author/illustrator’s book. All sessions are developed with connections to the Australian Curriculum.
Author Talk Tickets $5 per student per session. Workshop Tickets $25 per student and include a signed book by the author.
All sessions suitable for grades 3 – 6.
Dates & Venues
Primary Program
(Suitable for students grades 3-6)
Friday June 2, 2023
South Central Coast Venue:
Umina Beach Surf Lifesaving Club
509 Ocean Beach Rd, Umina Beach NSW 2257
North Central Coast Venue:
University of Newcastle, Ourimbah Campus
10 Chittaway Rd, Ourimbah 2258
Timetable
Author Talks
9:45 – 10:45am
11 – 11:45am
1 – 1:45pm
Book Signings & Lunch Break
12 – 12:45pm
Workshops
9:45 – 10:45am
11:15am – 12:15pm
1 – 2pm
When Fish Fly: The Power of Possibility
This year’s theme, When Fish Fly: The Power of Possibility, was chosen to illustrate how a child’s sense of wonder and curiosity is always present in our ever-changing world. Possibility gives hope. It allows us to wonder and question, enables children to think for themselves. Our 2023 selection of curated presenters have created worlds for young audiences filled with possible, the impossible – and perhaps a new possible. We hope you and your students enjoy a flight of imagination through this year’s exciting program.
Umina Beach
Umina Beach Surf Lifesaving Club
509 Ocean Beach Rd, Umina Beach NSW 2257
Talks
9:45 – 10:45am
Talk | Entry $5
Author Talk: The Day We Built the Bridge
With Samantha Tidy
Students explore the importance of primary sources as ways of connecting with the past. They will look at the story behind the building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the challenges that had to be overcome. Group work includes studying alternative bridge designs and a fun engineering challenge using toothpicks and marshmallows.
General Capabilities: critical and creative thinking, literacy
11am – 11:45am
Talk | Entry $5
Author Talk: Ups and Downs
With Craig Silvey
Join bestselling author Craig Silvey to discuss the ins, outs, ups and downs of putting together all things girl and dog in his novel Runt.
General Capabilities: critical and creative thinking, literacy
1pm – 1:45pm
Talk | Entry $5
Author Talk: Graphic Novel Hybrid
With Nat Amoore and Mike Barry.
What happens when an author and a graphic novelist get together? Uh-oh, anything is possible! Mike and Nat’s graphic novel hybrid format allows students of all literacy levels to fully engage in complex plot twists, cause and effect and character development. Through the zany antics of our dynamic duo, students will explore humour through writing and image in this laugh-a-minute presentation.
Learning Areas: English, Visual Arts, Drama General Capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Literacy.
Workshops
9:45am – 10:45am
Entry $25 includes signed book
History in Colour: Illustration Workshop
Introducing students to the illustration techniques used in her First Nations stories by Cathy Freeman, Bruce Pascoe and Edith Wright, Charmaine will demonstrate the process of crafting illustrations for picture books to complement an author’s story and words. Students will be guided in their own illustration journey throughout the session.
Priorities: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Culture Learning Area: Visual Arts, English General Capabilities: Personal and Social Capability Critical and Creative Thinking, Literacy
11:15am – 12:15pm
Entry $25, includes signed book
Creature Creations: Illustration Workshop
With Sara Acton
What’s possible when the ordinary meets the extraordinary? Join Sara Acton in a fun hands-on illustration workshop where students will use their imagination to craft a unique creature of their own. What makes a character special? This workshop will look at the process of creating engaging characters for picture books and explore where ideas come from. Students will have the opportunity to experiment with different materials and techniques to bring their ideas to life.
Learning Area: Visual Arts, English General Capabilities: Personal and Social Capability Critical and Creative Thinking, Literacy
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Entry $25, includes signed book
Conversations with Ghosts: Creative Writing Workshop
With Zana Fraillon
In this hands on workshop, Zana will guide students through discovering the voices that linger in objects and place. Students will explore different ways of listening to the characters that lurk in the shadows, margins and liminal spaces, and come away with a pocketful of new story ideas, and perhaps a few new ghosts of their own.
Learning areas: English General Capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Understanding, Literacy.
Ourimbah
University of Newcastle, Ourimbah Campus
10 Chittaway Rd, Ourimbah 2258
Talks
10:00am – 10:45am
Talk | Entry $5
Author Talk: Graphic Novel Hybrid
With Nat Amoore and Mike Barry.
What happens when an author and a graphic novelist get together? Uh-oh, anything is possible! Mike and Nat’s graphic novel hybrid format allows students of all literacy levels to fully engage in complex plot twists, cause and effect and character development. Through the zany antics of our dynamic duo, students will explore humour through writing and image in this laugh-a-minute presentation.
Learning Areas: English, Visual Arts, Drama General Capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Literacy.
11am – 11:45am
Talk | Entry $5
Author Talk: Crafting Spooky Characters
With Reece Carter
Learn how to create memorable characters from scratch. Drawing inspiration from their own environment, kids will work together to develop a spooky character of their own, then put that character through their own story paces.
Learning Areas: English, Science, HSIE, Visual Arts General Capabilities: Literacy, Critical & Creative Thinking, Intercultural Understanding
1:00pm – 1:45pm
Talk | Entry $5
Author Talk: Ouch!
With Kate Simpson
Have you ever wondered how gravity works? What would life be like without gravity? Find out in this fun introduction to the idea that what goes up must come down with author and science lover Kate Simpson.
Learning Area: English General Capabilities: Civics and Citizenship, Ethical Understanding
Workshops
9:45am – 10:45am
Entry $25 includes signed book
Creative Writing Workshop: The Lost Art of Speaking in Dog
With Zana Fraillon
Based on Zana’s book The Way of Dog, this hands-on workshop allows students to see the world from a dog’s point of snout. Students develop their own canine characters, find their character’s voice, and experiment with poetry, spoken word and the joys of verse.
Learning areas: English General Capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Understanding, Literacy.
11:15am – 12:15pm
Entry $25 includes signed book
Creative Workshop: Beautiful Art
With Aunty Fern Martins
How do you create illustrations that complement lyrical language stories? A hands-on workshop for students following Aunty Fern Martins’ dramatic and unique environment illustrations of northern Australia.
Priorities: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Culture Learning Areas: English, History, HSIE Visual Arts. General Capabilities: Personal and Social Capability Critical and Creative Thinking
1pm – 2pm
Entry $25, includes signed book
Creative Writing Workshop: Why Kids Should Rule The World
With Carla Fitzgerald
What would you do if you could rule the world? How do you balance power and responsibility? Join Carla for an enlightening creative writing workshop covering the fun, the serious and the precarious balance between living in the moment and thinking of the future.
Learning Area: English General Capabilities: Civics and Citizenship, Ethical Understanding
How to Book
The Ripples: Primary School Program can only be booked directly between Words on the Waves and the participating school.
All sessions suitable for grades 3 – 6.
Teachers/Guardians: Free entry when accompanying students. Teacher/Guardian supervision is required at all sessions. If parents are bringing small groups you are expected to remain for the duration of the session.
To register your interest:
- Complete our EOI form (Please note: this does not guarantee you a booking)
- Contact: Fiona Lloyd 0412 985 909
- Email: schools@wordsonthewaves.com.au
How to Purchase Books
Books for these events can only be purchased online via the links given in the provided order form. They will be processed by The Book Shop Umina and delivered to the student’s session. All books on the form can be ordered, however signings are only possible by presenters at the venue the student is attending.
PLEASE NOTE: Not all signings are available due to authors travelling between venues. Pre-signed copies may be made available at the festival and book shop’s discretion.
Partners
