Year 9 Korowa students edit a novel
Year 9 Korowa students in the elective The Feminine Touch: Women of History recently took on the professional challenge of editing Auguries of Innocence, a novel written by their teacher, Mr Stewart.
This was not a routine assignment. Students became editors, reading with a critical eye, refining language, and suggesting improvements to a novel before publication. Korowa students experienced what it means to contribute to a professional piece of work, a responsibility that inspired both pride and excitement.
The students learned how to read with precision, how to frame feedback in a constructive way, and how to collaborate on a shared goal. These are the very skills that transfer directly into university study, workplace projects and leadership roles later in life.
Korowa made this opportunity possible by creating an environment that supports innovative approaches to learning. Yet it also took the creativity and dedication of a teacher like Mr Stewart to turn his manuscript into a learning experience that challenged students to think critically, offer feedback with confidence, and contribute as professionals.
Year 9 Korowa students feel connected
The protagonist, Maggie Miller, is a teenager like the students themselves. This instantly made the story relatable. Students said it felt as though they were “inside the book,” critiquing it from a lived perspective.
“The story felt so real, like I was living inside it. Editing it made me see history in a completely different way.”
By stepping into Maggie’s world, Year 9 Korowa students developed empathy, sharpened their analysis, and discovered how storytelling can mirror their own experiences. By relating to Maggie’s journey, they built empathy, sharpened their ability to interpret complex ideas, and gained the confidence to voice their perspectives with clarity.
Exploring history through storytelling
Through this project, students deepened their study of history. The novel expanded their understanding of figures and events ranging from Hypatia of Alexandria to the Boxer Rebellion, Ancient Rome, and the leadership of Orestes. These were no longer distant names on a page; they became characters and contexts woven into a vivid narrative.
“It’s not every day you get to edit a book. I felt proud that my feedback really mattered.”
Students even suggested Amelia Earhart as a character for a sequel, showing their eagerness to extend their learning and connect with modern trailblazers.
Korowa students feel empowered
Students reflected on how respected they felt to be trusted with a project of this calibre. They described pride in knowing their voices shaped a published work and confidence in taking on a role usually reserved for adults.
“Being trusted with this responsibility made me feel respected. It showed me that our voices can make a difference.”
Experiences like this teach more than grammar or storytelling. They discovered what it means to be trusted with real responsibility, and in doing so, they developed resilience, independence and a sense of pride in their capacity to contribute to something beyond themselves.
Bold learning in action
This project captures the essence of a Korowa education: authentic challenges, courageous thinking and skills that last a lifetime. By becoming editors, Year 9 Korowa students grew as communicators, collaborators and leaders.
It is experiences like this that show how Korowa nurtures curiosity, develops confidence and empowers students to make a real difference in the world.
A special thank you to Mr Stewart for bringing his creativity and passion into the classroom, and for giving students the opportunity to be part of such an inspiring experience.To hear about the experience from some of the students, watch the video below.[embed]https://vimeo.com/1123073713?share=copy[/embed]
