HELEN FITZGERALD

STORYTELLER

For the past decade, Helen Fitzgerald has been entertaining and informing students of all ages with her tailored storytelling sessions.

Helen's personal storytelling style translates to a number of different formats; workshops, traditional storytelling, staff professional development and Artist in Residence programs. Her audience base is incredibly broad, spanning students, seniors, mothers, adult learners, community groups and intellectually impaired adults. Helen has presented at cafes, festivals, libraries, schools and preschools all over Queensland.

Helen helps her audience find and explore their own stories but demonstrating how to access and understand stories from across the globe.

She has developed specific sessions for the four stages of schooling:

Prep - 3: Sessions are lighter, full of audience participation and much hilarity. Sessions include:
Ain't it great to be me! - Stories from around the world to promote self-esteem.
Aussie Rule -Fun with Australian stories, songs and games.
Life on the High Seas -Adventures on the oceans with pirates, monstrous nammals, flying umbrellas and the mysteriopus rick-a-bamboo.
Nana and Pop -Ideal for Grandparents Day. A celebration of the wisdom and fun older relatives bring to young lives.
Family and Friends -Stories and songs promoting appreciation and respect for the important people in our lives - our family and friends.

Years 4 - 7: With the same topics as Prep - 3, sessions are altered to suit a more mature audience. The thought provoking tales and numerous layers found within them stimulate questions throughout the audience, as well as mesmerising the hard-to-engage year 7 students.

Years 8 - 10: Sessions focus on popular urban myths and tall tales, inviting students to understand their own creative process.

Years 10 - 12: Sessions explore the ancient archetypal teachings within mythology. The levels and themes found within these tales are also explored, as well as giving students an opportunity to create modern versions of the stories.

Helen happily tailors her sessions to suit the needs of each particular school/organisation.