Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Campus hosted its first Writers Festival on Friday 13 February, bringing students together for a full day of workshops, conversations and creative exploration designed to strengthen their confidence as writers and storytellers.

Head teacher of English Sarah Peachman, who led the development of the event, said the festival aimed to show students storytelling was more than an assessment task.

“We want students to understand that reading and writing are important for life, not just for school,” she said.

“Storytelling shapes our identity, connects us to our community and has the power to change the world.”

Ms Peachman said the festival was created in response to the rapidly changing world students are entering.

“Our students are stepping into a brave new world that can feel complicated and, at times, overwhelming. Storytelling is more important now than it has ever been,” she said.

The festival program featured workshops designed to give every student an entry point into writing, highlighting the role it plays across subjects and future careers.

“Writing is a skill that supports every subject and every pathway,” Ms Peachman said.

Guests included authors Maxine Fawcett, Kristen Darell and Zena Shapter, as well as Morag Ramsay, executive producer of Foreign Correspondent, and former journalist Mike Carlton.

Ms Shapter said storytelling was among the leading human traits and “makes us thrive as a species”.

For author Kristen Darell, writing is an opportunity to share different perspectives.

“Everyone’s story is unique and writing is a precious gift,” she said.

Alongside creative writing, the workshops explored writing for media, business, advocacy and finding inspiration.

Ms Peachman said she hoped the festival would become an annual event, strengthening students’ confidence, creativity and connection to community.