1. Four Eden pupils are among a small group of ‘gifted and talented’ students, selected to
participate in an innovative new literacy and art project.
Tenaya Russell, Eva Pendlebury and Natalie McKenzie are all year 4 students, chosen to
represent Eden Public School (EPS).
“And we also have a very talented student artist from the Eden Marine High School, Ehrin
Schmidt, joining us,” EPS teacher Michael Kerr said.
The program found its genesis when Towamba principal, Peter Claxton, recognised a need for
more challenging and authentic curriculum to meet the needs of gifted students.
Eden, Towamba and Tanja public schools are the three primary schools which came on board for
the pilot program, with a total of nine students invited to participate.
“We hope this pilot will lead to a series of ongoing programs involving more schools,” program
developer and educator with the NSW Department of Education, Judith Radin, said.
The current program runs for 10 weeks, with two workshops in a classroom environment at the
beginning and end, and the other eight weeks conducted via online modules.
Each lucky student will be fully supported to write and illustrate their very own picture book, which
will be published at the end of the 10-week process.
“This is a great opportunity for students who have displayed gifts or talents in particularly literacy
and the arts to enhance those skills in a small workshop environment,” Mr Kerr said.
“The program allows them to build on their strengths, and hopefully end up with a quality product
they can be proud of, and share with family and friends.”
Talented students to release book

2. All going well, the published picture books will not only be cherished at home, but find their place
in libraries too, turning these students into published authors at a very tender age.
It’s the culmination of a long term personal dream of Ms Radin, who worked for many years as a
coordinator for ‘gifted and talented’ students in Sydney schools before moving to the south coast.
“I thought I’d step into a similar job here, but quickly realised there is very little opportunity,” Ms
Radin said.
“I saw a need for provision for gifted students in the region, so decided to do something about it.
"I decided to have a go at developing a model for a remote delivery program based around the
internet, integrating technology such as webinars, a dedicated website, cloud storage and
various other apps and devices.
"All participants can access the website and download whatever they need each week to
complete their work offline.
"Lesson content will also be delivered via webinars and video conferencing sessions whenever
possible.”
Before the online modules begin, a start-up workshop was held at Eden Public School last
Wednesday, August 12, bringing together all the students and teachers.
In stark contrast to most primary school classrooms, there was a focused hush, with the
scratching of pencils the most audible noise.
Scrapbooks filled with wondrous creatures covered the desks, with each student visibly lost in the
world they were creating.
Ehrin Schmidt is the only high school representative in the program.
“I thought it would be good to do, as I love art, and being an illustrator would be a good career
path for me,” Ehrin said.
“I’m a bit shy and like to keep to myself, but I love kids and I’m here if they need some help.”
Also at hand as mentor and guide is Sarah Irwin, a published picture book illustrator, and the
principals and teachers of the three schools.
“The kids were elected by their schools, and sat a placement test,” Eden Public School principal,
Tanya Vogt, explained.
“They were identified as being at the higher end of the scale for performance in literacy
predominantly.”
Moving around the room, it was clear these handpicked proteges are natural storytellers, with
tales already materialising on the page.
“It’s fun being part of the program,” EPS year 4 student, Tenaya Russell, said.
“I like working with kids from other schools, and getting more experienced about art.”
Talented students to release book

3. A mischievous dog is Tenaya’s protagonist, while the book by fellow student, Natalie McKenzie,
stars a costumed cat.
“My story is called ‘Cats that wear hats and other things,’” Natalie said.
“And I’ve already got a sequel in mind, ‘Cats that are dangerous’, about cats with guns that shoot
their enemies.”
Talking to the budding authors revealed a depth beyond their years.
“My book is about a girl whose mother dies of cancer, and whose brother and dad leave to fight in
Afghanistan,” EPS year 4 student, Eva Pendlebury, said.
“I’ve been watching a lot of movies lately about war, and I know how it feels to lose someone
because my great grandmother died a little while ago, and it was really sad.”
Ms Radin said the young students were "bursting at the seams with energy and ideas that need
an avenue for release.”
“And this program provides that avenue,” she said.
The official book launch is hoped for week six or seven in the year’s final term, just in time for
Christmas.
Once those stories are complete, these budding young authors will have to practice a new skill -
autograph signing.
Talented students to release book