Ever wondered what it would be like to write an actual book in just 12 hours? Sounds impossible, right? Well, that’s exactly what a group of dedicated Port Dalrymple students took on during this year’s Write a Book in a Day challenge on Thursday, June 6th.

Students from Years 5 to 10 teamed up in grade-based groups to craft inspiring stories for children battling cancer in hospitals across Australia. It wasn’t just about coming up with fun plots and beautiful illustrations—this was a serious test of teamwork, time management, and resilience. With each group functioning as a mini publishing house, students stepped into roles like writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, and leaders. Every detail had to come together perfectly before the clock ran out! It was a whirlwind of creativity, teamwork, and—let’s be honest—a lot of frantic scribbling!

The challenge wasn’t easy. There were moments of chaos—writer’s block hit, ideas collided, pages went missing, and illustrations had to be redone. Some teams had to scrap entire sections and start over. But instead of giving up, students pushed through, supporting each other with determination and encouragement.

As the final hours ticked away, everyone kicked into high gear—editing, tweaking, and making sure the books were as polished as possible. The pressure was real, but so was the excitement of seeing their creations come to life. And just when energy levels were dropping, the school provided a well-earned dinner of pizza and chips, giving students the boost they needed to push through to the finish.

Beyond the challenge itself, Write a Book in a Day is more than just a competition—it’s about making a difference. Every book created is sent to children in hospitals, offering them a moment of joy and escape through storytelling. Plus, the event raises funds for childhood cancer research, helping kids not just survive, but thrive beyond their treatment.

Write a Book in a Day is more than just a challenge; it's a chance for students to use their imagination for a meaningful cause, knowing that their stories will bring joy to kids who need it most. And after 12 intense hours, our teams walked away not just with finished books, but with a sense of accomplishment and pride in what they had created together. This year’s teams proved that creativity, teamwork, and perseverance can achieve incredible things. Despite every obstacle, they didn’t just write books, they created stories that will brighten the days of young patients across Australia.

We can’t wait to see what next year’s round of literary magic will create!