Book Week
We were thrilled to welcome critically acclaimed Australian author Pip Harry to speak with our ATC students across Years 4 - 8. Pip shared her love of books and reading, inspiring our boys to follow their passions, dream big and believe in the power of storytelling. She shared some of her ideas from her most recent book "Drift", a beautifully written verse novel that will resonate with younger teen readers who are beginning to understand themselves and the changing world they live in. Thank you Pip for an amazing visit!
Brisbane-based author Edwina Shaw captivated our middle school students with stories behind her children’s book In The Dark of Night and her incredible journey as a writer. From teaching in a maximum security Juvenile Justice Centre to working with refugees and students with disabilities, Edwina’s rich background in education inspired our boys to embrace creativity, resilience and the power of storytelling. Thank you Edwina for your creative writing workshops! ATC was lucky to welcome visionary writer and illustrator David Lovegrove, who ran a series of dynamic workshops for our Middle and Senior School students. Known for his innovative ambidextrous art-making and passion for pushing creative boundaries, David inspired our boys to explore literacy through visual storytelling. With a career that spans major commissions and international recognition, David’s sessions were unforgettable—our students are still talking about them!
Our Junior School students had a blast during a series of drawing workshops with talented illustrator Ben Wood! Best known for the Real Pigeons crime-fighting series (soon to hit screens with Nickelodeon!), Ben shared his passion for visual storytelling and taught our boys how to problem-solve through drawing. With over 50 illustrated books to his name, Ben inspired creativity, imagination and a whole lot of fun!
Brisbane-born author Anton Clifford-Motopi brought laughter, insight and inspiration to our Junior School with an engaging presentation and interactive writing workshop. Drawing on his own experiences growing up in a large adoptive family, Anton writes funny and heartfelt stories that explore identity, race, belonging and friendship. His passion for storytelling and empowering young voices through humour and honesty left a lasting impression on our students.
Richard Yaxley
Award-winning author Richard Yaxley brought an hour of literary power to our Parents and Sons Twilight event last Tuesday evening. With over 30 years of teaching experience and a string of acclaimed novels—including This Is My Song, winner of the Prime Minister’s Award for Young Adult Literature—Richard captivated our parents and students with his storytelling, creative insights and expert writing advice. Thank you Richard for sharing your passion with us!
Our Year 7 students were thrilled to meet Michael Gerard Bauer, author of the much-loved novel Don't Call Me Ishmael!—a text they’re currently studying in English. Michael shared his writing process, how to turn everyday experiences into story ideas, and the art of crafting memorable characters. With a career that includes multiple award-winning book.
Our Junior and Middle School students were absolutely buzzing after a visit from Charlie Thomson, AKA The Educator! With a background in hip-hop, visual storytelling and Shakespeare, Charlie delivered high-energy presentations and workshops that had students beat-boxing, rapping and exploring poetic devices in fun and meaningful ways. From supporting legendary hip-hop acts to presenting at global education conferences, Charlie’s passion for creativity and literacy made a lasting impact.
Nick Earls
We were honoured to welcome acclaimed Australian author Nick Earls back to ATC, where he spoke to our entire school assembly about the importance of reading and the joy of storytelling. With a career spanning award-winning novels, theatre adaptations and even a Disney film, Nick inspired our boys to pick up a book today and discover the worlds waiting inside. He also ran his collaborative and engaging Narrative Toolkit workshops with our Middle and Senior School students, giving them practical tools and expert insight into crafting compelling stories.
Our Book Week parade was a vibrant and energetic celebration filled with creative costumes that transformed the Junior School into a colourful, imaginative world. Book characters were brought to life showcasing our boys' love for reading and the magic that books bring into their lives.
The parade not only celebrated favourite stories but also emphasised the importance of reading as a gateway to adventure, knowledge, and inspiration. Through their costumes, students demonstrated how reading truly is magical, capable of transporting us to different worlds and sparking endless possibilities. Once again our educators excelled with their costumes and delighted the audience when they took to the stage! Thank you to everyone who participated and shared the magic of books.
