Friday November 29th 2024
Dear Diary,
It was my privilege to attend Ampney Crucis Primary’s literature festival along with six other authors today. And what a wonderful day it was! As soon as I arrived, I was greeted by two young reading ambassadors, Mia and Alice, who escorted me around and checked I had everything I needed. Then, after registration and a routine one-minute mile (performed by the pupils… not me… I hasten to add), things kicked off with a bang! My job was to host a morning session for the whole of KS2, which meant all of Y3/4 (Chestnut) & Y5/6 (Oak) were squeezed into one classroom. It was wonderful to see how excited they all were for their second annual literature festival, and my heart almost burst with joy when each and every one of them put their hand up when asked whether they liked reading!!! After a mini assembly, it was straight onto activities. During the first, we had pupils standing up and singing, rapping, or reading out poems and stories they’d created in front of everyone. They were so brave! There’s no way I would have had that confidence at their age. With thirteen certificates handed out today (unlucky for some… namely everyone who didn’t get one, as they ALL deserved to), it’s hard for me to pick out a favourite piece of work. But I was particularly impressed by Edward’s story about a mad scientist – and the fact that he was too shy to read it to me to begin with… then found the courage to. I didn’t have time to stay until the second activity (designing book covers) was completed, but there were some great designs coming together before I had to pack up and leave. Karen (who organised the visit) and all the amazing staff got stuck into the activities I put on, and the pupils were exuberant, polite, and hard-working throughout. Keep reading, pupils of Ampney Crucis, and don’t ever stop!!!