Megan H - “My son has always found writing very challenging. He was so enthusiastic and engaged during the Launch Pad project. It was a joy to see his work evolve.”
(Parent, Warburton Primary School)
Wendy S - “Andy has given our son the inspiration to work through his ideas, play with them, illustrate his concepts and finish and publish his first story. Than you!.”
(Parent, Warburton Primary School)
Thomas G - “Ander is amazing. He helps every student! I recommend this cool and very interesting program to other schools.”
(Student, Doncaster Primary School)
Liz S – “The kids had fun and are proud of their efforts. Well done.”
(Parent, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Luca F – “I love the Launch Pad because I love writing. I also love the food and doing a speech at the launch party.”
(Grade 4 Student, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Sammy H – “I love Launch Pad because it’s fun writing and learning how to create a story.”
(Grade 4 Student, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Ava P – “Ava loved learning the process of writing a story and the to top it off seeing it published in a book her grandmother could buy! Great program!”
(Parent, St Luke’s Grammar School
Ollie H – “I like Launch Pad because he teaches us how to be an author and have fun with your friends.”
(Grade 4 Student, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Toby T – “I love writing this because it has your story in it and it is fun.”
(Grade 4 Student, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Rebecca W – “My daughter loved the whole experience of writing and publishing a book. Terrific experience.”
(Parent, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Zachary T – “We had a good time being authors. Thank you Andy. I did it with a friend.”
(Grade 4 Student, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Sam O – “I loved that we could improve our writing skills. We could do it with our friends. Andy is an expert author and we could write with him."
(Grade 4 Student, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Chloe D – Thank you so much for coming all the way from Melbourne to help us be published authors. Year 4 have had so much fun reading, writing, planning, and drawing. I have had so much fun learning my punctuation and editing my work. Thank You!”
(Grade 4 Student, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Sue – “What a fantastic way to get kids to understand ‘writing for an audience.’ Their presentation and the processes involved in getting from first draft to published book is what literacy learning is all about – an excellent vehicle for literacy engagement.”
(Parent, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Leanne H – “What an excellent idea!! Shows the students the whole process of publishing a novel. The classroom is full of excitement and joy!!”
(Grandparent, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Kylie – “Wonderful way to unleash kids’ imaginations. Well done.”
(Parent, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Monique L – “Excellent!”
(Parent, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Kai H – “I thought writing the book was the best thing I have experienced in years.”
(Grade 4 Student, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Danielle – “Well done. They all did a great job.”
(Parent, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Lachlan M – “Andy’s a great author. We got to become authors, and got a chance to write a book.”
(Grade 4 Student, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Lisa M – “What an amazing program. So inspiring for the kids and wonderful to see all the kids so proud of their achievements. Published authors at 9 years of age! That’s pretty fantastic!
(Parent, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Jane R – “What a wonderful opportunity for the kids and a fantastic result.
(Parent, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Dan B – “The Launch Pad Program captured my daughter’s imagination and her enthusiasm was a reflection of the passion shown by Ander … It’s a great program!
(Parent, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Sheree R – “A fabulous program to get all children excited about writing and proud of becoming published authors! Well done.”
(Parent, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Zaniel – “A never forget moment of my life. Andy has given me an amazing moment of writing, and I have gotten better at writing.”
(Grade 4 Student, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Dee B – “The children were all very excited about presenting the book to their parents and friends. The process was not only educational for the children, but encouraged ownership of the process to final completion. Well done for coordinating so many children, engaging their attention, and encouraging the writers within.”
(Parent, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Ned A – “Launch Pad was a fantastic opportunity to be an author. We get to write and plan with an expert Andy. It was fun to do it with friends.”
(Grade 4 Student, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Summer S – “I like this program because I got a chance to become an author in primary school, and that’s an amazing chance. Plus, I want to be an author when I am older.”
(Grade 4 Student, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Tatiana L – “What an awesome concept. The kids are so proud of their artistic creations, and they should be!”
(Parent, St Luke’s Grammar School)
Renée P – “Such a great program that gets the kids excited about writing. It’s so great to see something that engages kids with a love of reading and writing. Thank you!”
(Parent, Mooroolbark East Primary School)
Jackie S – “This is a wonderful program that allows children to learn and practice the craft of writing stories. The workshops are hands on and encourage the children to expand and edit their work. The kids were thrilled to see their words and drawings in a published work.”
(Parent, Mooroolbark East Primary School)
Ash R – “Great experience for my daughter. She loved writing the story, did a reading at the launch party, and the finished books looked great!”
(Parent, Mooroolbark East Primary School)
Jemma W – “It was a great experience. I loved it. I think every child should have the joys of writing and publishing their own book. Ander is really funny because he said I should be a politician. LOL!!”
(Grade 6 Student, Mooroolbark East Primary School)
Hayley K – “Ander did a fantastic job with helping us write our stories and publishing the book. He did an excellent job with helping with ideas for my story and making the book. I enjoyed writing my story and wish to do something similar in high school. I think there should be more programs like this all over Australia.”
(Grade 6 Student, Mooroolbark East Primary School)
Libby Palmer – “The kids really enjoyed the program and loved that they became published authors. Ander engaged with the kids and gave them some great ideas to help the writing process.”
(Grade 6 Teacher, Mooroolbark East Primary School)
Vikki H – “My son is quite imaginative but has great difficulty in putting words to paper. This has been a challenge for Matthew and in the beginning he found it hard, but as he got into the writing found that in fact he really enjoyed this experience and wanted to continue writing … maybe you have awoken a new budding author!!! Thanks for your time and guidance. Great luck to you in your future endeavours in your new company!”
(Parent, Mooroolbark East Primary School)
Penny – “I really enjoyed making a book with Ander. He would help you express your imagination and make you inspired to write.”
(Grade 6 Student, Mooroolbark East Primary School)
Matt Mulcaly – “A terrific program – kids were really engaged and loved learning from an actual published author. The end result is wonderful and the kids are very proud of what they produced. I highly recommend this program.”
(5/6 Teacher, Mooroolbark East Primary School)
Lachlan B – “Launch Pad has been fun. Thank you. I will never forget Launch Pad!”
(Student, Mooroolbark East Primary School)
Nicholas B – “My son Jonathan has been in both editions of Ander’s books at Middle Kinglake. He is very proud of himself to be published in a book at such a young age. Ander’s books are a great way for children to become interested in reading and writing. It is a great concept and I hope it goes Australia wide, if not worldwide. All the best!”
(Parent, Middle Kinglake Primary School)
Max – “Thanks heaps! I really like that you came. From Max.”
(Primary School Student, Middle Kinglake Primary School)
April D – “I am really proud for me and my classmates. I loved doing the program for a second time. I hope I can do it again.”
(Primary School Student, Middle Kinglake Primary School)
Isaiah C - "It is good because I like being able to have my own story published in a book."
(Primary School Student, Warburton Primary School)
Nathan C - "My son loved the process of writing and actually having it published in a book. Having something real and so professionally produced that he can share with family and friends is something he can be proud of."
(Parent, Warburton Primary School)
Kyra T – “I have had an amazing time during this program. I am so proud of myself at my amazing work. I really enjoyed it, I can’t wait to read all the stories.”
(Grade 5 Student, Donburn Primary School)
Indigo C – “Thank you so much for writing and publishing all of the books.”
(Grade 5 Student, Donburn Primary School)
Kali V – “I really like your inspiration and how you are an amazing author! Thanks for everything!”
(Grade 5 Student, Donburn Primary School)
Daran T – “I liked the experience. Thank you so much.”
(Grade 5 Student, Donburn Primary School)
Diconey K – “Thank you for making us books. We will miss you!”
(Grade 5 Student, Donburn Primary School)
Rojina S – “I had a really good time writing my story. Thank you for everything.”
(Grade 5 Student, Donburn Primary School)
Dianne W – “What a fabulous program. I am so glad for our students to have such a wonderful opportunity. I highly recommend the program.”
(4/5/6 Teacher, Middle Kinglake Primary School)
Antonio – “It is an awesome program and it is helpful.”
(Primary School Student, Middle Kinglake Primary School)
Karyn Mc – “So great and easy to work with Andy, and I was stoked to read 2015’s book too. The children thoroughly enjoyed the process, as did I. Congratulations to all on the result.”
(Support Teacher, Middle Kinglake Primary School)
Karen P – “My son participated in the first ever Launch Pad book made. I am very proud to see his and his classmates’ stories published in a real book. I look forward to each year that MKPS participates in this program, and seeing all my children’s stories published.”
(Parent, Middle Kinglake Primary School)
Joyce G – “What a fantastic programme and opportunity for the students, giving them a chance to learn about the whole process from conception to publication, and they get their own story in print!”
(Parent, Middle Kinglake Primary School)
Jessica S – “This is the first time for me participating and I love writing so I was very happy when my story could get published!”
(Primary School Student, Middle Kinglake Primary School)
Jodie – “This has been such a fantastic program for our kids to be involved in. My child was very excited to have her work printed in a real book. Thank you!”
(Parent, Middle Kinglake Primary School)
Nikita J – “It was fun. I would like to do it again.”
(Primary School Student, Yering Primary School)
Faye B – “What a wonderful opportunity for these students to be involved in writing and having published a book with their stories. Thank you so much.”
(Helper, Yering Primary School)
Grace C – “I loved making a proper book!”
(Primary School Student, Yering Primary School)
Caleb V – “I loved making my own story.”
(Primary School Student, Yering Primary School)
Nick W – “Thank you so much for running this program. It was amazing to see the students so engaged in writing. They were thrilled to get a copy of their book and produced incredible work!”
(3-6 Teacher, Yering Primary School)
Rori B – “I liked writing the books and I had a great time. It was fun.”
(Primary School Student, Yering Primary School)
Daniel C – “I liked writing a book a lot. I want to do it again. It was that fun!”
(Primary School Student, Yering Primary School)
Jessica B – “It was absolutely fantastic. Listening to the kids being able to read their own stories from a book was incredible. Definitely worth it.”
(Parent, Yering Primary School)
Joel R – “The book looks amazing. I had an awesome time.”
(Primary School Student, Yering Primary School)
Joel C – “I love that I got to write a book and get a copy.”
(Primary School Student, Yering Primary School)
Tahliya W – “It was very fun!”
(Primary School Student, Yarra Road Primary School)
Sophie M – “I really enjoyed doing the book and it was fun!”
(Primary School Student, Yarra Road Primary School)
Ella G – “I really enjoyed writing my story and drawing a picture. It was an amazing experience and not many people would do it. I loved it and it was so much fun!”
(Primary School Student, Yarra Road Primary School)
Sienna K – “I really enjoyed writing the book.”
(Primary School Student, Yarra Road Primary School)
Charlee S – “I really enjoyed writing/making this book.”
(Primary School Student, Yarra Road Primary School)
Sean W – I loved creating my own book. It’s great for practice for all those little authors!”
(Primary School Student, Yarra Road Primary School)
Ryan A – “It was great! I had a lot of fun and would do it again any time.”
(Primary School Student, Yarra Road Primary School)
Zac R – “It was fun because I like making stories and it’s fun getting help from an author.”
(Primary School Student, Yarra Road Primary School)
Jarred S – “It was fun because we got to make a book with our story in it. I really liked this.”
(Primary School Student, Yarra Road Primary School)
Chantelle L – “I thought it was an awesome program and that it was really fun.”
(Primary School Student, Yarra Road Primary School)
Nicole R – “A great way to open up the kids’ eyes to more than just reading. They now know exactly what goes into every book they read. A very good tool for every school. I would encourage all schools to take this program. My son loved it.”
(Parent, Yarra Road Primary School)
Jake H – “Great writing my own published book.”
(Primary School Student, Yarra Road Primary School)
Hamish Mc – “It was very fun and a great experience.”
(Primary School Student, Yarra Road Primary School)
Dylan – “It was fun.”
(Primary School Student, Yarra Road Primary School)
Charlotte M – “I thought that it was fun. I really liked it.”
(Primary School Student, Yarra Road Primary School)
Teri Mc – “I was amazed at how this program inspired Zac to not only read, but to write. His enthusiasm has increased towards writing and above all he has enjoyed the program. I would recommend this program to all students!!!”
(Parent, Carlton Gardens Primary School)
Rares – “#Awesome LOL LOL LOL 😊😊😊”
(Primary School Student, Carlton Gardens Primary School)
Sanjay A – “I think this was a very creative thing to do for children, because children use their imaginations.”
(Primary School Student, Carlton Gardens Primary School)
Zak Mc – “I like this because I got to see my story in a real book.”
(Primary School Student, Carlton Gardens Primary School)
Claire S – “The Launch Pad program is a great opportunity for our children to use their imaginations and get the chance to work on a published story. Thank you so much! Hopefully my daughter will get the chance to do this next year.”
(Primary School Student, Carlton Gardens Primary School)
Alex – “Our students were extremely excited to have the Launch Pad Program back at our school for a second year. Andy has done a wonderful job of giving the kids an unforgettable end product to our writing process. Thanks for coming back!”
(Year 5/6 Teacher, Carlton Gardens Primary School)
Arran Mc – “I found the Launch Pad Program excellent.”
(Parent, Carlton Gardens Primary School)
Rani – “I feel so happy that everyone took part in the Launch Pad Program! I really want to be an illustrator when I am older!”
(Primary School Student, Lilydale Primary School)
Johanne Butler – “This program was an excellent addition to our literacy program. For students to go through the writing process from drafting ideas to the final printed product was a great experience. Not many young kids get to say they are “published authors” but now 80 kids at L.P.S can! Well done, and thanks Andy.”
(Assistant Principal, Lilydale Primary School)
Angelina H – “It was fun to write the stories and very cool seeing my story in a published book.”
(Primary School Student, Lilydale Primary School)
Mollie C – “I loved it because it’s creative.”
(Primary School Student, Lilydale Primary School)
Sharon K – “Fantastic idea to have all the children write a piece which is collected and published in a book. Helps all children to feel accepted and part of something. The book is a lovely token of all the children’s work where they are able to be creative. What a lovely keepsake of a child’s primary school years. Thanks for the wonderful idea!”
(Parent, Lilydale Primary School)
Jasmine – “I liked the program because it was really fun writing the stories, and to have them published is really cool.”
(Primary School Student, Lilydale Primary School)
Tania – “The students have really enjoyed having their stories published. Great way to promote a love of reading and writing.”
(Parent and Integration Aid, Lilydale Primary School)
Hannah E – “I loved the experience of getting to write my own story. It was an honour to have my story put into a book. I had loads of fun.”
(Grade 5 Student, Donburn Primary School)
Chloe B – “This program was really fun and it taught me a lot about publishing books.”
(Grade 5 Student, Donburn Primary School)
Chris K – “The students were so excited to be authors! The Launch Pad Program was engaging and gave our students a real life purpose for their writing. They were all beaming with pride at the Launch Party. Thanks again!”
(Teacher, Grade 5, Donburn Primary School)
Adele V – “I really liked the program, because I learnt so much and it was a really good experience!”
(Grade 5 Student, Donburn Primary School)
Elina G – “I had a very good time writing a book. I am very proud.”
(Grade 5 Student, Donburn Primary School)
Marina S – “I enjoyed writing my story because I got to show my passion for writing stories.”
(Grade 5 Student, Donburn Primary School)
Caroline Greenwood, Parent - "Wow, what an amazing experience for the children. I wish I could have done this when I was at school!"
Shelly Fehring, 5/6 Teacher - "The Launch Pad Program was a really great experience for my classroom. Our students focussed on 'the writing process,' from planning through to publishing, and this program allowed the students to see their writing in an extremely rewarding way. They were so excited and proud. Thanks Andrew!"
Meagan Callander, School Principal - "Middle Kinglake Primary School have been lucky enough to work with Ander Louis to publish their very own book of short stories. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the project and the benefits were huge. The project culminated with an official book launch and students, staff, families and the wider school community were thrilled with the results. We thank Ander for his time and expertise and look forward to working with him again in the future."
Karen Symes, Parent – “Great idea – children really engaged and excited about writing and being published. Well done on a wonderful initiative!”
Alex Biaggini, 5/6 Teacher – “Andrew was an absolute pleasure to work with! The students were excited to work with him from the beginning to the very end and we all couldn't be happier with the end product. If you are considering The Launch Pad Program for your school, do it!”
Jieh Ni Koh, Student – “I really enjoyed the writing program. It was really fun.”
Andrea Vertori, Library Teacher – “The book launch was a wonderful opportunity for the Grade 5 Students to be proud of their writing. The book is a wonderful chance to celebrate the children’s creativity. It is a wonderful Christmas gift!”
Julie Mulcahy, Parent – “My daughter loves to read and this programme has been perfect for her. Would highly recommend the programme.”
Sophie Archibald, Parent – “Nikita was so excited with this project and with this unique experience having a piece published together as a whole for a new project! Unfortunately Nikita didn't submit her piece properly in computer format and wasn't able to have her writings printed. Perhaps a list with all students could be ticked off before final print? Then all students would be happy!”
Jin Gan, Student – “It was a great and fun opportunity to be able to meet a real author.”
Tina McDougall, School Principal - "Our students at CGPS were thrilled to have the opportunity to complete the Writing Process. They were so excited and proud to see the final product… A published book, with all of their hard work! Thank you Andrew!"
Ella Buszano, Student - "I really enjoyed being an author! I thought it was very fun and cool to learn how to write a book and have it like a real book. Thanks Andrew."
Jenny Chen, Parent - "It has been a great opportunity for my daughter to be part of this program. She has since developed a lot of interests in reading and writing, as well as her imagination! It has improved her creative writing, and she is proud of being part of this program."
Catherine James, Teacher Librarian - "Andrew worked exceptionally well with the students of Middle Kinglake Primary School. He worked collaboratively with teachers and children. The children were inspired to write in their own voice. They very much looked forward to his sessions. He talked to all children individually and gave them excellent writing advice. The book produced looked fantastic and the children were very proud of the end result. There was a very positive response from the children, teachers and parents to the book writing program. An excellent program that easily complements what already is happening in the classroom."
Martin Symes, School Council President/Parent - "Andrew, a huge thank you for your creativity, hard work, and mentoring of the students at Carlton Gardens PS to create this wonderful book. The kids have had fun and learnt a lot at the same time - what more could you wish for?"
Akanksha, Student - "It was a great opportunity to learn the process of being an author. I had great fun."
Gemma Harrop, Student - "I really enjoyed this amazing opportunity! It has given me a lot of motivation for being an author. Thank you Andrew!"
Anson Tang, Student - "I really enjoyed writing my own adventure story. I also learnt lots of hints and tips for writing. It was really fun."
Emma Patterson, 5/6 Teacher – “It was great to have the students working towards a very real and exciting goal. It was really beneficial for them to work purposefully, putting their knowledge and skills into practice. Having a beautiful end product made the whole experience very rewarding. The launch party was a lot of fun with many proud and happy students and families.”
Julie Hoskin, Assistant Principal - "A fabulous project! The students were privileged to work with a published author! They were very excited when they saw their own work in a professionally bound book. A truly worthwhile experience."
Natalie Koh, Student – “I really enjoyed writing my story with Andrew. Had a great time.”