Write On Masterclasses
Term 2 2025
Join us for a fabulous day of writing and creating.
Unless indicated otherwise, our masterclasses are open to all young writers in Years 7-13.
Please note the cost of the workshops vary due to funding.
1. Self-portraits Year 7-13
Self-Portraits & Portraits in words, not paint. Play around with language, with figures of speech—be realistic, abstract or surreal. The choice is yours. Explore self through a variety of lenses—family, nature, animals, place or moments in time.
Tutors: Philomena Johnson
Venue: Rangiora Town Hall
Date: Friday, May 9th
Times: 9:15-2:45
Cost: $30
Supported by Waimakariri Libraries and Waimakariri Creative Communities
2. S4P Speechwriting Year 7-13
This year's theme for the Speaking 4 The Planet is ‘Making Waves: Our Ocean, Our Future, Our Responsibility’. Issues within this theme include marine plastics pollution, microplastics in fashion, overfishing, the impacts of climate change, deep-sea mining, and biodiversity loss.
Please note that all students who attend this workshop do so on the understanding that they will make an entry to the Speaking 4 The Planet Speech competition.
Tutor: Heather McQuillan
Venue: Spark Place, Tūranga
Date: Friday, May 16
Times: 9:15-2:45
Cost: $10
Supported by Christchurch Creative Communities and Speaking 4 The Planet
3. Activating Characters
Use all of your senses to build realistic characters and then bring them to life in your writing. Create motives for your characters, learn how to generate realistic action sequences, and how to make your characters feel fully formed!
Tutors:
Venue: Rolleston Community Centre
Date: Friday, May 23
Times: 9:15-2:45
Cost: $30
Supported by Selwyn Creative Communities
4. S4P Spoken Word Poetry Year 7-13
This year's theme for the Speaking 4 The Planet is ‘Making Waves: Our Ocean, Our Future, Our Responsibility’. Issues within this theme include marine plastics pollution, microplastics in fashion, overfishing, the impacts of climate change, deep-sea mining, and biodiversity loss.
Please note that all students who attend this workshop do so on the understanding that they will make an entry to the Speaking 4 The Planet Spoken Word Poetry competition.
Tutor: Ray Shipley
Venue: Spark Place, Tūranga
Date: Friday, May 30
Times: 9:15-2:45
Cost: $10
Supported by Christchurch Creative Communities and Speaking 4 The Planet
5. Podcasting Year 7-13
Get a team of 4-6 students together and come along to refine your theme, write your script and record your podcast. You can enter your podcast in the Top of the Pods competition to win great prizes.
Please book one place for a team of 4-6 students to represent your school or group.
Tutors: Heather McQuillan and Pia Titus (Plains FM)
Venue: Rolleston Community Centre
Date: Friday, June 06
Times: 9:15-2:45
Cost: $40/team
Supported by Greater Christchurch Schools Network ( Top of the Pods) and Plains FM
6. Podcasting Year 7-13
Get a team of 4-6 students together and come along to refine your theme, write your script and record your podcast. You can enter your podcast in the Top of the Pods competition to win great prizes.
Please book one place for a team of 4-6 students to represent your school or group.
Tutors: Heather McQuillan and Pia Titus (Plains FM)
Venue: Kaiapoi Library
Date: Friday, June 13
Times: 9:15-2:45
Cost: $40/team
Supported by Greater Christchurch Schools Network ( Top of the Pods) and Plains FM
7. Matariki Poetry Year 7-13
As Matariki approaches our thoughts turn skyward.
Join us to learn some poetry techniques while writing about our galaxy,
Matariki, Star Trek and how to be a poetry rock star!
Tutor: Gail Ingram
Venue: Spark Place, Tūranga, Christchurch
Date: Friday, June 13
Times: 9:15-2:45
Cost: $30
Supported by Christchurch Creative Communities
Your Tutors
Heather McQuillan is an award-winning writer of novels for young people, short stories and flash fiction.
Josiah Morgan Josiah Morgan (Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Maniapoto) is a 24-year-old artist and an Ōtautahi local. He is the author of five books so far and can be regularly seen on stages and screens across the country.
Ray Shipley is a Ōtautahi-based comedian, poet, and professional book-pusher. In 2019, Ray was nominated for the Billy T Award, the biggest award for the rising stars of comedy in Aotearoa. Ray has won the Christchurch Poetry Slam four times, and placed third nationally in 2018.
Pia Titus is a freelance audio and online content creator. She is obsessed with storytelling, radio and all things audio.
Gail Ingram writes award-winning poetry and is a much sought-after poetry editor. She edits a fine line for the NZ Poetry Society.
Schools: limited to 6 places per school ( see booking form)
Please note that we can run a masterclass at your school if you have 16 or more students!
Notes:
Please bring pens/ paper and a device
Free WIFI on site
Bring lunch/ snacks/ water bottle
Our masterclasses are fully supervised, with Health and Safety information provided.
Places are strictly limited.