Booking confirmation

Welcome to the 2024 Russ the Story Bus tour.

Below you will find a comprehensive booking form, which collects the majority of the information that we need to begin planning Russ the Story Bus visit to your school.

Please be assured that all information you give us is confidential, and will only be used in-house by Sydney Writers' Festival to ensure that our visit to you runs as smoothly as possible.

Some key details regarding Russ' visit are as follows:

The Russ program will involve a full day at your school. Sydney Writers' Festival staff will work with your nominated event coordinator to create a tailored schedule for each school visit. It is our expectation that full classes/grades will participate.
Each Russ visit will consist of 2 x 30-45 minute author presentations, as well as an opportunity for all students attending the talks to visit the Russ the Story Bus to select a brand-new book of their own to take home.
In the weeks leading up to Russ' visit, each school participating will be sent detailed information for classroom teachers participating including teachers notes, activity sheets and classroom ideas.

All aspects of this program come at no cost to your school, and are generously supported through a combination of public and private financial contributions. If you have any questions or queries relating to your upcoming visit, please get in contact with the Russ the Bus Tour team at [email protected]

ABOUT THE SCHOOL

Name of school *

School address *

Including postcode

School phone *

Event coordinator name *

Who will be the main point of contact for the visit?

Event coordinator position *

Event coordinator mobile number *

Event coordinator email *

Secondary contact teacher *

Please provide the name and position of a staff member we can contact if the event coordinator is unavailable.

Secondary contact teacher mobile number *

Secondary contact teacher email *

ABOUT THE RUSS THE STORY BUS VISIT

What time does your school day START and END? *

For example, 9am–3pm.

What time do your meal breaks start and finish each day? *

Please include start and finish time for recess and lunch.

How many support unit classes do you have? Please tell us a little about your support unit. *

Author presentations will be held in either the library of the school hall. Please nominate which space and describe if there is a smart board or projector and sound system. *

The bus is required to park on school grounds. Is this possible? *

Yes

What is the street name of the entrance that the bus will enter/arrive? *

Please give detailed information of access point and instructions on what to do and where to go when the bus is arriving. Please include any notes about steep driveways or tight turns etc. *

Please note, Russ dimensions are L:12m W:2.5m H: 3.2m

Do you have a COLA or shaded outdoor area that the bus can park under or next to? Please explain where this is. *

We place beanbags outside the bus as a holding space for classes to visit the bus and look to have this to be in a covered, shaded place – ideally not far from presentation space. (We also need access to power via an extension lead to this spot)

Are there any 'blackout' times when the bus can NOT access school grounds? *

For example, between 2.50–3:.20pm.

We will need a minimum of two car spaces for the author. Please give access instructions for car parks. *

Street Name, Car park etc. Please note a Russ the Story Bus support vehicle will at times need to attend the school and the bus.

Are there any other school activities that need to be taken into account when building the timetable for your Russ visit? If yes, please include details. *

Please list any music or sports events or anything at all that might clash and we will work on organising a day that doesn't clash with other activities.

Do you have any other additional information about the students, or school that you would like to let us know?

Thank you for taking the time to complete this form, we will be in contact shortly with further information relating to your Russ the Story Bus visit.

Please note that due to changes in schedules and availability, the author/illustrator who will be visiting your school may change. We will do our best to ensure that sufficient notice is given regarding any changes.