Schools Program
Celebrate the boundless creativity of our students and community members through the Words in Winter 2026 Schools Program.
The Curious Creator
The Words in Winter Schools Program has spent over two decades inviting students across the Hepburn Shire to share their unique voices, boundless imaginations and creative stories with our community. For our 2026 festival, running from August 26–30, we are embracing the theme "Curiouser and Curiouser"—a nod to the wonder found in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
There's a breadth of opportunities for students across the region to engage with writing, storytelling and the arts. From classroom creative exploration to a public exhibition, from intergenerational connection to professional author encounters, the program is designed to celebrate student voices in varied and meaningful ways.
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The Story Circle: U3A & Schools Partnership
The "Story Circle" is an intergenerational storytelling initiative that brings together the wisdom of the U3A writing group members and the vibrant energy of local primary school students.
Hosted at the Senior Citizens Centre, these sessions create a shared space for generations to connect through the power of narrative (and over a few cookies and cups of tea).
During these events, students and older adults collaborate to read and share their writing in response to the festival theme, fostering meaningful relationships, encouraging cross-generational creative exchange and strengthening the bonds between our local schools and community Elders.
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Curiouser Creations Exhibition
Our "Curiouser Creations" exhibition features in our Festival Hub- the vibrant heart of the festival. Located in the Senior Citizens Centre- behind the Daylesford Town Hall—you're invited into a gallery of talent from across our community.
This exhibition showcases a diverse collection of art and writing contributed by local primary school students, secondary college students and U3A writing group members, all inspired by this year’s festival theme.
It is a space designed for the community to come together and appreciate the depth of creativity present in our region, offering all participants the invaluable experience of seeing their hard work valued by a public audience.
Exhibition can be viewed during the Festival Opening on Wednesday 26 August from 5pm-7pm and Saturday 29 August & Sunday 30 August 9:30am–4:30pm.
Daylesford Secondary College
A beloved tradition of our festival launch, the Festival Opening highlights the creative voices of Daylesford Secondary College students.
On Wednesday 26 August, students will take the stage at Daylesford Town Hall to share their own original writing.
Working closely with Dr. Amanda DeClifford, Head of English at the college, these young writers are supported in preparing their pieces for a live audience, providing them with a powerful platform to express their perspectives.
This feature has become a true highlight of the evening, proving that student voices remain central to the spirit of Words in Winter.