A 90 minute workshop costs $45. We will be offering longer half or full day workshops where there is interest and prices are likely to be $65 for half (3 hours) day, $120 for a full (6 hour) day. All prices will be made very clear before enrolment is confirmed. Things that affect pricing include venue costs or number of students, if materials are included or not. In the case of financial hardship, Andrea is always happy to chat about other options.

No, these things don’t matter if you are passionate about being a story writer, because our focus is on generating and expressing all sorts of wonderful ideas in all sorts of creative ways!

We can help you with these elements when you want to polish or publish pieces and I bet you’re working on these things at school!

At Story Hatchers it is your thinking, your positive approach to trying new things and your love of creating stories that really matters.

Definitely paper and a pen or pencil! A well-stocked pencil case is a good idea. You might have a writing book you already use for stories, but you don’t need anything fancy - just loose pages in a plastic pocket or an exercise book will do!

You get a clear list of what is needed when you enrol. A snack (for yourself only as we don’t share or provide food just to be on the safe side) and water bottle would be good too.

Story Hatchers can run workshops in local community hub venues, or schools. We can easily do on-line workshops if the need arises.

We can create and run workshops for homeschoolers and any other interested groups who have a venue to offer or a special event happening.

Always open to collaborating on ideas and responding to demand so do get in touch with any queries.

Currently the focus is on mid to upper primary level (years 3 to 6) but there are highly able, creative learners younger and older who could benefit from a suitably tailored Story Hatchers workshop.

Age and Year level at school can be rather arbitrary when talking about very bright students as these children may think and operate well beyond their peers, so ability and interest is much more relevant.

Andrea can discuss workshop options for other age groups if of interest so just get in touch with any questions if you have someone or something in mind.

Story Hatchers keeps workshop groups to a size (8 - 10) that allows individual feedback but also supports and encourages social interaction. Young writers and avid readers often really enjoy meeting and working alongside like-minded others who share their interests. To make it viable 6 would be a minimum for either face-to-face or online workshops.

In the school setting or if running as a club, group size would vary and be flexible according to the goals of the program and provider.

When you participate in a Story Hatchers session, we do some short pieces and warm ups where brief verbal feedback is most appropriate. With longer pieces, which you might write in the session or send to Andrea afterwards, she will take the time to read these (sometimes after the session) and provide individual feedback on your work. It might be about your ideas or approach, things you do really well, suggestions about improvements or tips and techniques to develop your craft as a story creator. Feedback might be via a Loom video or written on your work, either way, you’ll love reading it and be inspired to hatch out more stories!

If your writer has a passion for writing stories - which often goes hand in hand with a great love of reading - and interest in learning more about it; if they are creative thinkers and/or show vivid imaginations then they are probably well-suited to our workshops.

The level of challenge is definitely beyond what your child would be offered in the regular classroom and the content is also more complex but this is the kind of enrichment students often crave.

Andrea is very skilled at differentiating tasks and activities to match a mix of ability levels in a group. That said, this is not for students who are not interested in writing. Some students have never experienced real challenge and constructive feedback so if they are highly able and interested in writing, this is an ideal supportive environment to experience these important things.

If you would like a helpful “Checklist” of descriptors to identify creative talents relevant to our workshops, email Andrea at hello@storyhatchers.com.au

Coaching: No. The emphasis is on enhancing the creativity and imagination that an enthusiastic, self-motivated young learner will most likely bring if they’re keen to join a Story Hatchers workshop. Mindful mentoring of those with a passion for all things word-related is our mode of magic so we don’t “coach” for scholarship exams or to get into other extension programs.

Tutoring: Andrea may be available for individual tutoring of high ability students who love writing, or to help your child’s teacher plan an appropriately challenging curriculum. Email or call her if you wanted to discuss this.

Story Hatchers observes strict protocols regarding medical conditions and health so as to maximise everyone’s wellbeing and safety.

If your child has been diagnosed with allergies, asthma or is at risk of anaphylaxis, you must provide this important information to Andrea prior to enrolling in or attending a workshop. You will need to provide an up-to-date ASCIA Action plan, signed by your Doctor and fill in the details on your enrolment form.

If your child has an epi-pen or asthma medication, it must be up-to-date, brought to the workshop and remain with your child. Andrea will need to check this prior to the start time and your child will not be allowed to stay on for the workshop if this is not with them or is out of date.

We have a no-food sharing policy and aim to avoid any risks with a risk-management plan undertaken prior to each workshop/venue.

Covid: if your child has any symptoms at all or recent exposure to a positive case, please do not send them to a workshop. The same applies to colds or any infectious disease as we all wish to minimise germ-sharing and care for our teachers and learners. See refund and cancellation page for more details.

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