St Kevin’s School storytellers shine this Book Week!

The power of storytelling is alive and well at St Kevin’s School, Geebung this Book Week (22 to 28 August) with five students achieving outstanding success in the prestigious 2026 Young Voices Awards. 

Presented by Australian Catholics magazine in partnership with Australian Catholic University (ACU), the annual awards invite young people to explore issues of faith, justice, and social responsibility through writing and digital storytelling. 

Year 6 student Shivaasnh was awarded first place in the Junior Article section for his piece, Person who does the doing: Lessons from a Koala Corridor. The story explores the responsibility individuals and communities share in protecting koalas and their environment. Fellow Year 6 student Danny received a highly commended award in the same category for Save Victoria Park, a literacy piece about protecting green spaces and the importance of local parks. Year 5 student Isabella also entered the Junior Article section, earning a Highly Commended award for her article No Courage Without Faith. In this thoughtful piece, Isabella explored how faith can provide the strength and courage needed to navigate life’s challenges and unexpected moments. 

In the highly competitive Junior Digital section, Year 6 student Lilliana received a special mention for Wheels of Joy, while classmate Shaun earned a highly commended award for Justice Life. These pieces both explore themes that highlight how bold action and deep belief can help build a more just and hopeful world. 

St Kevin’s School Acting Principal Benedict Campbell said Book Week was a timely reminder of the important role reading, writing, and storytelling play in a child's learning journey. 

“Stories help young people make sense of the world around them and understand the experiences of others,” he said. 

“Through their writing, our students have explored issues of faith, justice, and stewardship, demonstrating not only strong literacy skills but also a deep capacity for critical thinking, empathy, and advocacy. 

“When students are given the confidence to tell their stories and share their ideas, they discover that their words can inform, inspire, and create meaningful change.  

“That is something worth celebrating during Book Week and beyond.” 

The recognition also comes at the same time as the school celebrates outstanding results in the 2026 NAPLAN Writing assessments. In Year 3, 85.8 per cent of students achieved in the Exceeding or Strong proficiency levels, while in Year 5, that figure rose to an impressive 91.6 per cent. 

“These results highlight the impact of quality teaching and learning in writing, where students are encouraged to develop their skills through authentic and meaningful opportunities,” Benedict adds. 

“At St Kevin’s School we are committed to providing unique opportunities for students to explore their literary and other God given talents.” 

For more information about St Kevin’s School, Geebung or to enrol click here. 

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More about the 2026 Young Voices Awards 

The 2026 Young Voices Awards invites students to reflect on this year’s theme: ‘To go boldly: The path of faith and justice’. Students were invited to reflect on how courage and conviction shape faith journeys. Whether standing up for what’s right, caring for others, or speaking truth with compassion, they are encouraged to highlight stories that explore how bold action and deep belief can help build a more just and hopeful world. 

Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book Week 

Book Week is an annual event celebrated by schools, libraries, and communities to promote literacy and the joy of reading among children. For more information about Children’s Council of Australia’s Book Week click here. 

Image caption: St Kevin's School Geebung students Shaun, Danny, Isabella, Lilliana, Shivaansh in their school library. ©Brisbane Catholic Education, St Kevin's School, Geebung (2026).