Primary Schools Day
Join us for our renowned Primary Schools Day at Byron Writers Festival, held at the festival site at Bangalow Showground.
These popular educational events showcase some of Australia’s most beloved children’s authors to foster a passion for reading and writing – and to produce the writers of the future.
Students will enjoy their own Byron Writers Festival experience, with learning resources made available, books available to buy, as well as food and drink options.
Learn among the trees at the Bangalow Showground for Byron Writers Festival’s Primary School Sessions, tailored for primary school students of any grade level.
Choose one of our two program options, below.
Program 1 – Lisa Harvey-Smith | Matt Stanton
THIS SESSION IS NOW SOLD OUT – PROGRAM 2 IS STILL AVAILABLE
Wednesday 7 August 2024
Bangalow Showground
10:00am – 12.00pm
Learn about the solar system with Lisa Harvey-Smith and how to create your own funny stories with Matt Stanton.
Receive a personal tour through the wonders of the universe from astrophysicist Lisa Harvey-Smith. Explore comets and meteors, stars, planets and moons. Find galaxies and glowing gas clouds. Spot supernovae and enjoy eclipses. Learn everything you need to know about binoculars, telescopes and photographing the stars. You will never look up at the stars in the same way again.
Then get an insight into the mind of Funny Kid creator, Matt Stanton, the author of the mega-bestselling series that has everyone laughing! Since Matt burst onto the children’s publishing scene in 2002, he has quickly made his presence known with eighteen original titles, four bestselling series and over half a million books sold.
Program 1 Schedule – Lisa Harvey-Smith | Matt Stanton
| 9:00am – 09:45am | Arrive at Festival |
| 10:00am – 10:45am | 1st Session |
| 10:45am – 11:15am | Snack break |
| 11:15am – 12:00pm | 2nd Session |
| 12:00pm – 1.00pm | Book signing and buses depart Festival |
Cost
Secure your spot for Schools Day now! Simply book and pay with your credit card or request invoice at checkout.
Students – $18 per student (plus booking fee).
Teachers – Free (1 per 10 students).
Additional Adults/Parents – $25 (plus booking fee).
Limited subsidised places are available for eligible schools. Please get in touch to find out more via [email protected].
Meet the Authors – Program 1
Lisa Harvey-Smith
Lisa Harvey-Smith is an award-winning astronomer, science communicator and Professor at the University of New South Wales. She is the author of The Secret Life of Stars, Little Book, BIG Universe, Aliens and Other Worlds, When Galaxies Collide and best-selling children’s book Under the Stars.
Matt Stanton
Matt Stanton is a bestselling children’s author and illustrator who has sold more than one million books in Australia. He has twenty picture books to his name, including the #1 Australian kids’ book series Funny Kid, the award-winning Books That Drive Kids Crazy! and Fart Monster series, and is the creator of The Odds, and the Bored novels. Fluff is his latest series.
Program 2 – Anton Clifford-Motopi | Kate & Jol Temple
Wednesday 7 August 2024
Bangalow Showground
11:15am – 1:15pm
Meet novelist Anton Clifford-Motopi and award-winning dynamic duo Kate & Jol Temple.
Learn about how to become a writer with Kate and Jol Temple, the internationally awarded authors of over 26 hilarious books for kids, from smash hit picture book series Bin Chicken to action-adventure graphic novels like Frog Squad and The Underdogs! Kate also writes her own dark fantasy series, The Dangerous Business of Being Trilby Moffat.
Explore identity, family and friendship with Anton Clifford-Motopi and his debut novel To and Fro, which follows a young boy learning to understand what it means to be black in this cheeky and funny Australian story.
Program 2 Schedule
| 10:15am – 11:00am | Arrive at Festival |
| 11:15am – 12:00pm | 1st Session |
| 12:00pm – 12:30pm | Lunch break |
| 12:30pm – 1:15pm | 2nd Session |
| 1:15pm – 2.00pm | Book signing and buses depart Festival |
Cost
Secure your spot for Schools Day now! Simply book and pay with your credit card or request invoice at checkout.
Students – $18 per student (plus booking fee).
Teachers – Free (1 per 10 students).
Additional Adults/Parents – $25 (plus booking fee).
Limited subsidised places are available for eligible schools. Please get in touch to find out more via [email protected].
Meet the Authors – Program 2
Anton Clifford-Motopi
Anton Clifford-Motopi enjoys writing stories that make children laugh. His stories explore themes of self-identity, family relationships and friendship, drawing from his experiences of being mixed race, growing up in a large adoptive family and raising four children. To and Fro is his debut novel.
Kate & Jol Temple
Kate and Jol are internationally awarded authors of over 26 hilarious books for kids, from smash hit picture book series Bin Chicken to action-adventure graphic novels like Frog Squad and The Underdogs! Kate also writes her own dark fantasy series, The Dangerous Business of Being Trilby Moffat.
Key Information
- Gates open at 9am
- On-site bus parking available (weather permitting)
- Dedicated seating, students will remain in the same marquee for both sessions
- No supervision provided by festival staff, teachers are responsible for their group
- Authors available for book signings and books are available for purchase from the book shop
- Food and beverages available for purchase, however we suggest you have the children pack snacks
- Stay hydrated with our free water station; bring your bottle!
Contact Us
Byron Writers Festival is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW