It’s not often that children have the opportunity to develop their reading and writing skills with guidance from a published children’s author.

But at Our Lady Help of Christians (OLHC) Primary School in Wendouree, this is a daily treat.

OLHC Years 2,3,4 teacher, Jodi Toering, has recently published her second children’s book ‘Night Watch’, the story of a pair of tawny frogmouths as they soar through the skies and through the night keeping watch over the Australian countryside and fauna.

‘Growing up I had two dreams – to be a teacher and to write picture books for children,’ Jodi says.

‘I love bringing stories to life for the children, not only to improve their skills, but hopefully to inspire a lifelong love of writing and reading.

Jodi says she wants the students to see themselves as authors.

‘Even with the younger students, we unpack the text and discuss what makes the story work or not work, and I challenge them to write their own.

‘I never tell a child what to write. Writers want to write about things they know and love,’ she said.

Jodi’s first book was titled ‘Mallee Sky’ and today she was celebrated by the OLHC community for her second successful publication, ‘Night Watch’.

OLHC Principal, Leigh Bradshaw, says Jodi’s personal passion for writing and language comes through in her teaching, and is greatly appreciated by the students.

‘Jodi is not only a talented children’s writer, but also an amazing and energetic teacher.

‘She encourages and inspires the students to think about their own writing. There are very few reluctant writers in Jodi’s classes!

‘Our school community celebrated the launch of ‘Night Watch’ with great excitement and pride today,’ she said.

Jodi was born in the Mallee at Hopetoun and grew up on a wheat farm outside a small town called Beulah.

She is currently collaborating on a guide for other teachers called ‘Inside Story – Creative Writing for Students’, due to be published in April.