After celebrating their book launch – complete with a student-led performance, a book signing, and a live reading by Sami Bayly – students were still letting it sink in that they were now authors and illustrators.

“I never thought I’d be an author at the age of ten,” one student shared.

The idea for the story emerged from the students’ familiarity of the World Heritage listed Barrington Tops and the landscapes, wildlife and cultural knowledge that defines the region. Students undertook extensive research, including a guided excursion through Copeland Tops, where they learnt about native flora and ancient bush knowledge passed down through the Worimi and Birpai Peoples.

From brainstorming the storyline to developing a storyboard, writing the text and illustrating every page, students from Kindergarten to Year 6 contributed meaningfully to the project. The opportunity to work so closely with a professional author made the experience even more memorable.

St Joseph’s Principal, Amy Maslen said the school embraced the project as a way to give students an authentic, hands-on learning experience that connected deeply with their local environment.

“We wanted our students to see themselves as capable creators – as authors, illustrators and storytellers. The project has been a key focus of our school’s improvement efforts, deepening our skills in the teaching of writing and enhancing student outcomes and opportunities in this area,” Ms Maslan said.

She shared that the students’ growth throughout the project was remarkable.

“Across the year we’ve seen their confidence grow enormously. They developed persistence, teamwork and creative problem-solving skills. Watching them realise, ‘I can actually create a book,’ was incredibly powerful,” Ms Maslan said.

“We decided to focus on natural disasters and the impact these events have on the local community. Through the students’ writing and illustrations, they have captured the resilience, strength and unity that emerge in the face of adversity.”

“I had so many students tell me they never imagined they would write or illustrate a book. Seeing their faces as they held the finished product – that’s why we do projects like this. Opportunities like this them what is possible.”

Liam Banyer, a parent and Ranger at Barrington Tops National Park, expressed how meaningful the project was from an environmental perspective.

“I think they’re really fortunate to have this opportunity to work with a professional author, and then to write a book,” he said.

“It’s important for kids to understand their local environment – they know what to do if there’s a fire, they understand the risk, but also that it’s part of nature. It’s great for them to connect with nature because they’re going to be looking after it into the future.”

“To have this opportunity for such a small school is really special.”

With the support of their teachers, community and the expert guidance of Sami Bayly, the students of St Joseph’s Primary School have certainly created something truly remarkable.