Students write a book in a day for good cause

Five Australind Primary School students worked for 12 hours straight on August 18 to complete an illustrated story book for children with cancer.

The writing group students from Year 5 and Year 6 joined 773 teams around Australia for the Write a Book in a Day competition which saw them work from 8am to 8pm.

The students were given the parameters for their book at 8am, which stated they must include three characters – a dancer, a queen and an echidna.

The budding authors also had to incorporate the words zigzagged, fuzzy, emerald, awkward and pillow into their tale which had to be submitted online before 8pm.

The money from registration to the event was donated to The Kids’ Cancer Project and the participants plan to sell cupcakes at an upcoming “parent night” at the school to bolster the donation.

Writing group coordinator Cherie O’Callaghan said she was proud of the students’ willingness to help others.

“The kids are excited because it’s part of a competition, but it is more about the participation and that it is for a good cause,” she said.

“It’s about doing something for someone else.”

Ms O’Callaghan said the challenge was in getting the timing right and keeping on track, but the team benefited from having a student with experience in the competition.

“Jasmine Wilson did it last year because she was the only Year 5 student last year, but she was very keen to participate again this year and brought some good experience.”

Jasmine, who wants to be an author when she grows up, said she was particularly excited to enter again this year.

“I was a bit sick last year and ended up falling asleep so I really wanted to do it again this year,” she said.

“The first time I heard about it I was like ‘yes, we get to write a book in a day’.

“I wanted to do it because I like helping people.”

Competition winners will be announced on November 10.