Write a Book in a Day Competition

On Thursday the 11th of August 98 students decided to step outside their comfort zone and in defiance of their alarm clocks to write a book in a day. The competition is organised by the Kid’s Cancer Project to raise money for cancer research into children’s cancers. Each team is able to raise money, but also commits to spending 12 hours at school with teachers to plan, write and illustrate a story that will be added to a library that children with cancer can access from hospitals all over the country. These books are designed to give sick children a distraction from the world they find themselves in, and our students were excited and eager to take on the challenge this year.

Our day began early and it was clear from bloodshot eyes which students were unaccustomed to rising before sunrise. Some arrived armed with an array of Snuggies and snacks ready to tackle a long day of typing and talking. Planning began in the first hour as ideas bounced around the walls. Thirteen teams spread themselves around the Senior Campus all wondering how a book can be completed in 12 hours. 

Hours 1-2 were frantic as ideas were scribbled on boards and written into Google platforms. Stories began to take shape and teams looked over the rules and regulations. Groups were assigning roles and illustrators began the long day of random scribbles that magically transformed into imagery that astounded the assisting teachers.

Hours 3-7 were a cacophony of tap-tap-tap sounds. Stories were taking shape and teams were separating into spaces that they could work in without distractions. The new teams were more focused than the ‘old hands’ in their third year. With more experience comes more confidence; they were excited and they were filling up with sugar to keep the focus. 

Hours 8-10 are the ‘silly hours’. The early start and the tiredness creeps in. Teams are most distracted at the time and their minds wander to the shoes they want to buy or who is wanting to see which film at the cinema. Tapping keyboards take a backseat to chattering voices and the teams are encouraged to take a break and refresh the mind for the final haul to the 12 hour mark. 

Hours 11-12 resemble the collapse of civilisation as we know it. Teams scramble to ensure that they have the compulsory elements of the book and other sections they may wish to include. Word counts are frantic with each book needing to be 3500 - 5000 words long, including any acknowledgements and credits. The calmness of early morning is contrasted with the hurleyburley of the closing moments. Finally, at the 12 hour mark, all books are written, illustrated and complete. The teams sigh with relief before collapsing into the cars on the way home. 

It truly is a fun day as teams negotiate, laugh, eat and write. What is more important is the effort that students make to bring some joy to the lives of those less fortunate. At time of publishing, the teams have raised $5200.  I thank you all and your parents or guardians for letting you take part on the day. I look forward to seeing you next year.

The following students took part in the competition:

Cooper’s Angels. Ava Alley Diana Park Hannah Johnstone Nicola Gerardis Holly Brazier Jade Kember Alyssa Hallatt Cooper Shield Laura O’Neill
Kard-asians. Braedon Monteiro Gabrielle Gonzales Ada Ding Giancarlo Samuel Madelin La Cateleen Pardillo
The Sunshines. Raphaella Thimiopoulos-Wilson Rachel Laycock Jobella Delacruz Elyscia Barrett Matilda Adamecki Angelina Khalil  Maxine Gesilva Suwanthi Edirisinghe
Heliotropes. Aaron Geevarghese  Philip Park Kyle Lo  Kathryn Baginski Akshiya Vaikunthavel  Aarshia Saheba  Samantha Xavier  Antonia Gregoriou  Samuel Thoms  Zachary Saliba
St Andrews Team 5. Nikki Gasendo Monica Luong Catharina Purwadi Elianah San Pedro Jaliyah Casipit Isabella Cardino
St Andrews Team 6. Jacob Dela Cruz Kushal Mariguddi Daniel Zhang  Thomas Valentine Jabez Loteria Moses Leveni
Loona. Rayna Rao  Mikayla Balobalo  Chloe Canlas Andrea Leo Chloe Garcia Alyssa Guillermo Frienczel Espino Jenille Calingao Jelaine Magayaga Jeda Osorio
Book Lovers. Angelina Chamoun Amik Marok Brianna Faorlin Ava Bylsma Lily Bayrich Mackenzie Jones Isa Sarmed
Scribblers. Jovan Dominic Garry Singh Arthus Klauth Sean Park Alexandra Marasigan Sakina Ganiwalla Youssef Tannous
The Main Six. Vesna Kenny Elizabeth Kwiatkowski Danielle Amabile Jayda Amabile Selina Joshi Simone Pathak
The Novelty Pickles   Bianca Infante Vy Tong Ada Domingo Theresia Purwadi Loudonald Go Caitlyn Dela Cruz Sabrina Tomas
The Kaylas.   Dominique Grepo Alysha Pillay Kristina Manay Amelie Sen Francesca Calaquian Nathania Perera
The Novelists.   Jillyza Aldana  Euleila Barret Jericho DeLeon Emma Croser Joshua Sammut Jade Lumayno  Cate Astillo Marcia Chua Athieu Majok Nicole Felipe