Heywire Workshop and Competition 2021
Students in Year 10 were provided with the opportunity to participate in a Heywire writing workshop run by past competition winner and writer, Katie McAllister, on Thursday 9 September. Heywire is an annual competition run by the ABC and the Australian Government. It begins with a storytelling competition and is open to young Australians aged 16-22 living in regional or rural Australia, providing young people with the opportunity to share their perspectives and experience through the craft of storytelling.
Katie’s expertise allowed students to move through the storytelling process. Students discussed the importance for young people to share their stories and completed a series of activities with prompt questions to help them find a unique true story. Students created lists of what they are passionate about, what challenges they have faced and what are their greatest strengths. Students also listened to and viewed true stories from past Heywire winners and reflected on how these stories made them feel and what thoughts the stories provoked. Selecting one idea from their lists, more ideas were brainstormed, using descriptive words on senses and emotions. This idea was further developed into the structure of a short story with the potential to enter the Heywire Competition.
We thank Katie for her time and expertise in engaging students in the Heywire workshop and further developing the story writing skills and techniques of students.
We would also like to thank Year 10 participants for engaging with the Heywire workshop during Blended Learning.
Entries for the Heywire competition close Thursday 16 September 2021 and can be submitted via the link below.
https://ugc-heywire.zendesk.com/hc/en-au/requests/new?ticket_form_id=360005606956
Good luck!
Natasha Green
Leader of Pedagogy
