- Flourishing students
- Primary school
23 Jun 2026
Brisbane’s own literary sensation Trent Dalton, set hearts alight at St Thomas’ School, Camp Hill this week, inspiring a new generation of writers as he shared a powerful glimpse into his acclaimed book ‘Love Stories’ as part of the school’s annual Writers Festival.
Through ‘Love Stories,’ which began with conversations with strangers on a Brisbane street corner, Trent reminded students that you can find love everywhere. A message that beautifully captured the spirit of this year’s Writers Festival theme, ‘What is love?’
St Thomas’ School Principal Vivienne Thompson said Trent’s visit reinforced the work the school is doing in the Resilience Project and its focus on gratitude, empathy and mindfulness.
“Trent encouraged students to look closely at their own lives and recognise that even the smallest moments in our lives can become powerful stories,” she said.
“Through this learning and by continuing to connect with and listen to the stories of Sister Carmela, our students are also living out the Good Samaritan Charism, growing in compassion, deepening their sense of connection, and learning to respond with kindness and understanding in their everyday lives.”
Vivienne adds that Trent has inspired our students to tell their own love stories, stories of friendship, companionship, and the quiet moments of being cared for by family.
“He showed our students that every story has a purpose, and that at their very core, all stories lead back to love,” she said.
“Every person you meet has a love story worth telling,” Trent told students encouraging them to see themselves as the storytellers of their own lives.
As part of the Writers Festival, students also had the opportunity to take part in a creative writing session with students learning how love stories are written. Those stories were also shared with Trent during a special presentation beneath the school’s Love Tree.
Trent said the student’s love letters “were the best pieces of writing he has heard all year”.
The love letters will now be incorporated into a non-fiction book of storytelling next year.
Across the week, the festival has also seen students take part in storytelling circles, creative challenges and collaborative activities, including a ‘What is love?’ wall, where students, staff, and parents shared their own heartfelt definitions of love.
In 2026, St Thomas’ School students have also been exploring ‘11 Words of Love,’ by Randa Abdel-Fattah and illustrated by Maxine Beneba Clarke. The book explores the eleven Arabic expressions of love through the journey of a family seeking safety in a new country.
For more information about St Thomas’ School, Camp Hill or to enrol click here.
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More about Trent Dalton:
Trent Dalton is an acclaimed Australian novelist and journalist, best known for his semi-autobiographical novel and Netflix series ‘Boy Swallows Universe.
Image caption: Author Trent Dalton with St Thomas' School, Camp Hill leadership team and students. ©Brisbane Catholic Education (2026).
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