Story Time Creates Connections at Springfield

A creative writing initiative that the 2010 Year 1 students took part in has recently been revisited. However, this time the Year 1 students are new and were sharing memories with the now Seniors and School Leaders.

MAI THATCHER

St Peters Springfield officially opened its doors to students in 2008. As the College began to grow, extra-curricular activities were introduced, including in 2010, a Creative Writing Club. The Club encouraged Primary Years students to harness their imaginations and write fictional stories and these were published at the time into a book titled And here we go...!.

Fast forward to 2021, and the same students who wrote the stories when they were in Year 1 are now in Year 12. During a recent library borrowing session for current Year 4 students, the book was found prompting discussion with the class, and current Year 4 teacher, Mrs Cathy Jeffries. Cathy, who in 2010 was a Year 2 teacher, recalled the Club and this sparked an idea!

Such was the interest from the students in Year 4, Cathy organised a special ‘story time’ reading of the stories for her students with the authors themselves. Reading through the book was like going back in time for the students who were originally involved— School Captain, Daniel Storey, Mitchell Sports Captain, Jacob Kreutzer, Faith Captain and Cunningham Sports House Captain, Themys Arriagada-Malone, and Lauren Couch and Emily Curtis.

The reading allowed time to reminisce about their learning journey at St Peters and we asked them to give us their reflections about the stories eleven years after writing them.

Daniel “I can remember writing the story at The Hub 11 years ago during lunch time with Jacob. So, it felt very nostalgic while reading the story to the Year 4 students during story time. I can’t believe I wrote a story about dragons, guns and laser shoes. It wouldn’t be something I would write about now, only because my interests have changed over the years due to all the things I have learnt in my time here at St Peters. When I wrote that I remembered I just wanted to have fun. Now, however, I have other priorities and aspirations. I still do write a lot but it’s interesting to see how my writing style has changed and developed since then. If I could give advice to my Year 1 self, it would be to keep going with the creative writing. Also try to not worry so much about what other people think.”

Jacob “I participated in the program knowing that my story would eventually get published in the book. I thought it was a great initiative and hope the College brings it back. I believe this project helped me become more imaginative throughout my education.”

Lauren “I’d like to think I was a very creative individual and am very proud of the fact my story is now published in a book.”

Emily “I think writing all these stories together made us build lifelong friendships with each other. Growing up at the College has allowed us to have close relationships, and for that I’m very grateful.”

Themys “The experience really fuelled my creative and academic journey at St Peters. This project, along with other extra-curricular activities, has helped my personal and academic development. I really enjoyed all the opportunities like the Creative Writing Club the College offered.”

The College has changed and grown in size since the book was written, however still recognises the value that creative pursuits have at school. Springfield provides numerous extra-curricular activities for students to be involved, mostly led by interest within the student population with regular rotation of clubs and special interest groups.

This book and the creative short stories provide a special legacy which will remain at the College for future students to enjoy. A copy of the book And here we go...! is available in The Hub at the Springfield College.