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Program

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11–23 January 2027 · Sydney

Australian Young Leaders, Writers & Changemakers Festival 2027

Australian Young Leaders, Writers & Changemakers Festival 2027

A Sydney summer program for students in Years 7–12

Across ten Academy days, students develop their writing, journalism, public speaking, debate and leadership through practical workshops, individual feedback and mentoring from Harvard University student editors and journalists at The Harvard Crimson.

The Festival culminates in the Youth Leadership Forum: Final Showcase & Awards at Sydney Town Hall on 23 January, where students present, perform and exhibit original work before families, educators and invited leaders.

Enrol now

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Save A$220 with early-bird enrolment. Complete enrolment and payment by 1 November 2026.

What a student will experience

What a student will experience

Leadership in action

Teamwork, case studies and constructive debate.

Persuasive public speaking

Prepared speeches, argument and delivery.

Original writing & journalism

Personal narrative, reporting and opinion.

University pathways

Admissions strategy and application insights.

Expert mentoring from current Harvard students

Individual feedback from Crimson editors and journalists.

Youth Leadership Forum: Final Showcase & Awards

Speech finals, exhibitions and awards.

Festival at a glance

ACADEMY

11–22 January 2027

The Princeton Review Sydney CBD Campus

Weekdays, 10:00 am–4:00 pm
Levels 5 and 6, 191 Clarence Street, Sydney

Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are included on Academy days.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM

23 January 2027

Lower Town Hall, Sydney Town Hall

Two tracks. Tailored to your child’s stage.

Foundations

Years 7–9 in 2027

11–22 January 2027

Speaking, writing & critical inquiry

For students developing their confidence in presenting ideas, evaluating evidence and working with others.

Prepared speeches and constructive debate.

Personal narratives, reporting and media literacy.

Leadership case studies and an introduction to university pathways.

View Foundations schedule

Foundations

Years 7–9 in 2027

11–22 January 2027

Speaking, writing & critical inquiry

For students developing their confidence in presenting ideas, evaluating evidence and working with others.

Prepared speeches and constructive debate.

Personal narratives, reporting and media literacy.

Leadership case studies and an introduction to university pathways.

View Foundations schedule

Advanced

Years 10–12 in 2027

11–22 January 2027

Debate, leadership & university admissions

For students ready for more demanding argument, independent writing and focused exploration of university applications.

Rhetoric, impromptu speaking and leadership under pressure.

Journalistic ethics, opinion writing and college essay techniques.

Admissions strategy, application discussions and activities-list development.

View Advanced schedule

Advanced

Years 10–12 in 2027

11–22 January 2027

Debate, leadership & university admissions

For students ready for more demanding argument, independent writing and focused exploration of university applications.

Rhetoric, impromptu speaking and leadership under pressure.

Journalistic ethics, opinion writing and college essay techniques.

Admissions strategy, application discussions and activities-list development.

View Advanced schedule

Youth Leadership Forum: Final Showcase & Awards

23 January 2027

Present original work before a public audience.

Families, educators and invited leaders join students at Sydney Town Hall for the Festival finale.

Awards recognise distinction in writing, speaking, debate, leadership and community impact.

Sydney Town Hall exterior; the Festival Showcase takes place in Lower Town Hall.

Sydney Town Hall

Showcase venue: Lower Town Hall

What happens on the day

Prepared speech finals

The grand debate final

Portfolio exhibition

Student readings and changemaker pitches

The Harvard Crimson mentor panel

Awards and Certificates of Participation

Included in Festival enrolment, with up to three family guest passes.

What students take away

A portfolio of original work

Revised writing to develop for competitions, publication submissions and suitable future applications.

A portfolio of original work

Revised writing to develop for competitions, publication submissions and suitable future applications.

Experience presenting and defending ideas

Speech, debate and public presentation experience to draw on in school leadership, interviews and future opportunities.

Experience presenting and defending ideas

Speech, debate and public presentation experience to draw on in school leadership, interviews and future opportunities.

Individual editorial feedback

A 20-minute conference and written recommendations from The Harvard Crimson identify strengths and the next steps for refining their work.

Individual editorial feedback

A 20-minute conference and written recommendations from The Harvard Crimson identify strengths and the next steps for refining their work.

A plan beyond the Festival

A personal 90-day development plan and a follow-up review with TPRA turn learning into continued practice.

A plan beyond the Festival

A personal 90-day development plan and a follow-up review with TPRA turn learning into continued practice.

Selected work may be considered for an approved Festival publication, subject to editorial review and student and parent or guardian consent.

About The Princeton Review Australia

SAT tutoring & college admissions consulting

The Princeton Review Australia provides SAT tutoring and college admissions consulting for students pursuing US university study. At the Festival, TPRA hosts the Sydney Academy, leads the Showcase and supports continued progress through a 90-day personal development review.

Explore The Princeton Review Australia

About The Princeton Review Australia

SAT tutoring & college admissions consulting

The Princeton Review Australia provides SAT tutoring and college admissions consulting for students pursuing US university study. At the Festival, TPRA hosts the Sydney Academy, leads the Showcase and supports continued progress through a 90-day personal development review.

Visit The Princeton Review

About The Princeton Review Australia

SAT tutoring & college admissions consulting

The Princeton Review Australia provides SAT tutoring and college admissions consulting for students pursuing US university study. At the Festival, TPRA hosts the Sydney Academy, leads the Showcase and supports continued progress through a 90-day personal development review.

Visit The Princeton Review

About The Harvard Crimson

Harvard’s independent student newspaper · Founded 1873

The Harvard Crimson’s editors and journalists are current Harvard students with experience in reporting, writing and editorial leadership. They lead the Academy’s learning activities and provide individual conferences, written feedback and first-hand perspectives on university life.

Explore The Harvard Crimson

About The Harvard Crimson

Harvard’s independent student newspaper · Founded 1873

The Harvard Crimson’s editors and journalists are current Harvard students with experience in reporting, writing and editorial leadership. They lead the Academy’s learning activities and provide individual conferences, written feedback and first-hand perspectives on university life.

Visit The Harvard Crimson

About The Harvard Crimson

Harvard’s independent student newspaper · Founded 1873

The Harvard Crimson’s editors and journalists are current Harvard students with experience in reporting, writing and editorial leadership. They lead the Academy’s learning activities and provide individual conferences, written feedback and first-hand perspectives on university life.

Visit The Harvard Crimson

Secure your place at the Festival

Full Academy + Youth Leadership Forum: Final Showcase & Awards

11–23 January 2027 · Sydney

EARLY BIRD · SAVE A$220

A$4,378

A$4,378

Including GST

Regular fee: A$4,598 including GST from 2 November 2026.

Complete enrolment and payment by 1 November 2026 to receive the early-bird fee.

All ten Academy days, program materials and portfolio development

Youth Leadership Forum: Final Showcase & Awards participation

Individual mentor conference and written developmental feedback

Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea on each Academy day

A Certificate of Participation carrying both brands

A personal 90-day development plan and TPRA personal development review

Up to three family guest passes for the Showcase

Enrol now to secure your place

Complete your details and payment through our enrolment form.

Let’s find the right fit

Tell us about your child’s interests and ambitions. Our team will help you assess the program and answer your questions.

Your questions, answered

The Harvard Crimson

The Harvard Crimson

Visit The Harvard Crimson

The Princeton Review

The Princeton Review Australia

Visit our website

Call 1300 006 877

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Our team is here to help you explore the Festival.

Let’s chat

The Harvard Crimson is an independent, student-run newspaper. This Festival is not an official Harvard University academic or admissions program. Participation does not guarantee university admission or publication. The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University.