AJ Betts Author Visit
Students across several year groups had a special treat last week, when award-winning Western Australian author AJ Betts visited our school. AJ Betts is best known for her novels Zac and Mia, Hive and Rogue. She spent the day sharing her warmth, humour and honest insight into the life of a writer.
The visit began with a talk for our Year 8 Enrichment class. Students heard about Betts’ journey from teacher to published novelist. She also shared the real-life experiences that inspired her storytelling. The class is currently studying her novel, Hive, so students had a great opportunity to ask deep questions about the book and how it was written. Students also asked about her writing routine and where she finds ideas for her stories.
Next, our Year 7 and 8 Enrichment students and the Year 11 and 12 ATAR English classes experienced hands-on creative writing workshops. Under Betts’ guidance, students explored character, voice and the writing process.
By the end of the day, students were buzzing with new ideas. Many left with a fresh appreciation for the craft of storytelling – a great reminder of how valuable it is to learn from a working author. It was fantastic to see every class engage so well with the sessions. Several students even took the initiative to show AJ Betts their own stories and novels.
Beneath the Surface: 2026 ESHS Literary Competition
Calling all creative writers! This term marks the start of our new yearly writing competition. There are two categories to enter: short stories and poetry. There are also two divisions: upper school (Years 10–12) and lower school (Years 7–9).This year’s theme is Beneath the Surface. Prizes are up for grabs in every division. The winning story and winning poem in each division will each receive a $100 gift voucher. Runners-up will receive a $50 gift voucher.
Whether you love writing gripping short stories or crafting powerful poems, this is your chance to get published and win a prize. Entries close in Term 3, Week 4, so there’s plenty of time to start writing. Students can chat with their English teacher for more details on how to enter.
