Marvellous Birds
Marvellous Birds was a creative writing and storytelling project for Years 5 and 6 students that explored the feathered beauty of some truly incredible birds. Through carefully scaffolded creative writing activities, students investigated themes such as community, camaraderie, displacement, environmental change, migration and the challenges of new adventures – through the piercing eyes and under the all-seeing gaze of the magnificent, mysterious (and occasionally menacing!) birdlife of the world.
Over six months (two school terms), Story Factory led creative writing programs at four primary schools, where students were supported to author their own original creative story.
Selected writing from across the four schools was collected into a professionally illustrated and published anthology, which is available to purchase at the Story Factory bookshop (see below).
Marvellous Birds is supported by the BridgeLane Foundation, Sheargold Foundation, the CommBank Staff Foundation and the Key Foundation.
Marvellous Birds, marvellous book
These birds have roosted in our hearts, and in the pages of what might be our most beautiful book ever!
Hard cover, with colour illustrations throughout, and (our personal favourite) a deliciously tactile waxed satin finish on the cover (book nerds know what we mean) as well as being stuffed with hilarious, witty and wise stories from our students.
We’re calling it – this is the perfect gift. Order yours today!
BUY NOWHear the Marvellous Stories of Marvellous Birds!
While lockdown may have stopped our plans to celebrate this fabulous feathered tales in-person, it couldn’t stop these incredible stories from flying free. Some very talented actors and some brilliant illustrators helped up bring to life the stories written in our Marvellous Birds workshops and we’re willing to bet they will be the best thing you see this week. Take a look!
I snorted, an incredible accomplishment for an eagle who had slanted nostrils.
– student writing
I terminated the call and spread my magnificent wings, stretching inside my New York penthouse. It wasn’t actually mine, I had smashed through the window, grabbed the owner with my massive talons and flung him out the window.
– student writing
The woman had very long jet black hair with some silver and white strands. She wasn’t old, just creative.
– Maple
Plumpton Public School
My life was pretty normal after the confrontation with the Russian Government, apart from the weekly heists on the bank and the everyday terrorising of pedestrians.
– Minh
Blaxcell Street Public School
@SydneyStoryFactory on Instagram
Do you have a passion for writing and improving the lives of young people from under-resourced communities?
We are currently hiring for the role of Senior Manager, Communications & Publishing.
The Senior Manager, Communications & Publishing is tasked with building our brand, promoting the work we do to existing audiences, building new audiences, and providing ways for people to engage deeply with what we do. They also lead our strategic goal of amplifying the voices of young people.
The ideal candidate will have excellent writing skills and a strong understanding of marketing principles; at least 5 years’ experience in a busy communications role and
be a self-starter and happy to be in charge of all aspects of our organisation’s communications, from strategy to execution.
If this sounds like you, apply today!
Find out more and apply via the link in our bio.
📷 Jacquie Manning
Sunset in my Heart 🌅🫶🌞
During terms three and four, 2022, students from @jcbths, @birronggirlshighschool and @doonsidetechnology_highschool completed Story Factory`s Sunset in my Heart program.
Special thanks to Isaiah Tasi (editor), Marcus Khoudair (edit mentor), and Tomas Cole-Nunez (audio).
This project was made possible thanks to Jibb Foundation.
#SunsetInMyHeart #creativewriting #spokenwordpoetry #spokenword #writingworkshop
Today is the last chance to enter our exciting multilingual public writing project In a Flash! Submit now for your chance to be published alongside professional writers and win $100!
Enter via the link in our bio.
Swipe through to read excerpts from submissions by incredible writers including, June Perkins, Eda Gunaydin, Sara Mansour, Will Kostakis, Eileen Chong and Vivian Pham.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.
During terms three and four, 2022, students from @jcbths, @birronggirlshighschool and @doonsidetechnology_highschool completed Story Factory`s Sunset in my Heart program. 🌅🫶🌞
Throughout this workshop series, students created pieces of writing that subvert elements of social media posts (yes, you 🫵🏼@instagram) where people present their ‘best lives’ to the world. Considering experiences that are surprisingly beautiful, enriching or reward sustained attention, they investigated the nature of truth in writing.
Extracts from this selection of writing were used as the audio for the Sunset in my Heart video.
Special thanks to Isaiah Tasi (editor), Marcus Khoudair (edit mentor), and Tomas Cole-Nunez (audio).
This project was made possible thanks to Jibb Foundation.
#SunsetInMyHeart #creativewriting #spokenwordpoetry #spokenword #writingworkshop
A quick glimpse into the fantastic Year of Poetry and Year of the Novella book launch. Visit the link in our bio to purchase the books!
Year of the Novella is made possible thanks to a group of generous funders, including our YON Donor Circle and @penguinbooksaus. Year of Poetry is supported by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund.
#booklaunch #youngwriters #novella #chapbooks #poetsofig #youngauthors #creativewriting
