Learning together to be the best that we can be ~ for every child, life in all its fullness.
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10
The Bank of Dreams and Nightmares
Today we explored the world of stories in years 4, 5 and 6. Nick, Jan, Ambs and Raja visited us in school and took us on a story writing journey. We began the morning creating a collaborative story together but were rudely interrupted by the phone ringing….it was the bank manager who didn’t believe that children could write stories. Astrid was very put out when she chatted to him and told him he was very rude having such a low opinion of children as writers!
The second half of the morning was an opportunity to write our own story endings in our own books. Once again, the bank manager called and spoke to a number of pupils on the phone. We shared some of our endings with him and guess what….he was impressed!
It was a day full of fun and imagination, with an illustrator who brought our characters to life too. We can’t wait to see our work published in a book.
We were keen to suggest ideas for the story.Suggestions for the character, their wish and their fear.Nick recorded everything we suggested and the story began to grow.Then the Bank Manager phoned…He spoke to Astrid but was very rude about children’s ability to write creatively!In fact, she found him rather rude!We voted for our favourite suggestions at various points during the planning stage.The story began to grow.The illustrator brought our characters to life.Maisie the dog and Bella the cat.Finley read out the first part of the story…followed by Astrid…and lastly, Ava-Mai.Then it was our turn to write our own independent endings.Josephine shared her thoughts with Raja.Grace and Emily thought things it through.Finley, Harry and Harley were keen to get their ideas on paper.It didn’t matter where you wrote……we just let the ideas flow.Marlowe and Hugo shared ideas.Everyone was lost in an imaginative world.It looked like Elih was considering an imaginative world of nightmares!But everyone else didn’t hear. They were lost in their own worlds.And then the phone rang again.Nick tried to tell the Bank Manager that the children were, in fact, really writing some great stories.The phone was handed to Harley.He read his story out loud.Then Lexi,The Bank Manager was impressed.Dylan’s turn to impress.Ava-Mai was delighted to share her work.Harry was amused by the Bank Manager’s comments.Then he read out his writing.It was Emily’s turn to talk.The Bank Manager made her laugh!Josephine then impressed him.Look at Phoebe enjoying the compliments of the Bank Manager!
No. When I was younger I had no idea what I wanted to be. I always fancied myself as a singer or dancer because I was always singing and dancing around the house. It drove my family mad!
Do you have any pets?
I used to as a child. I had 2 goldfish called Bit and Bot!! I also had 2 rabbits, although not at the same time. One was called Flopsy – she was a black and white fierce one. The other was a beautiful grey, placid rabbit called Binky!
What was your favourite book you read as a child?
I can remember buying a box set of Roald Dahl books for my 10th birthday and reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I had never seen the film so his descriptions of the chocolate room were completely magical to me. Eating blades of grass that tasted of mint? Wow!! I would read those pages over and over again.
Have you always lived in Dorset?
No, I was born and brought up in South West London, but I have lived in West Dorset for the last 25 years.
If there was one place in the world you could visit, where would it be?
Hmm, that’s a tricky one. I think it would have to be the Rocky Mountains of Canada when it’s snowing so that I could go sledging and skiing and all sorts of snowy activities before finishing off the day snuggled up by a real fire. Canada has lots of lovely powdery snow and the ski slopes are very big and wide (very useful for me because I’m not a great skier and often bump into people!).
So, is winter your favourite season?
Actually, no, it’s summer. I love being outside in warm sunshine and I really love light mornings and evenings. I love my garden too and summer is the best time to enjoy it.
What is your favourite colour?
Green – pistachio green mainly.
Do you have any hobbies?
I love gardening and visiting gardens but you may have guessed that I love watching musicals (including the old ones) and going to the theatre. Oh, and of course singing. I simply have to sing out loud when I hear songs I love.
Is there anything you are terrible at?
Drawing! Anyone who has been in my class will know that!
Give us a fun fact about yourself.
I have appeared in a pop video for about 2 seconds, but I’m not going to tell you which one!
I Love Seatown Because...
You get pushed to your limits.
You get a special leavers’ service.
We can all be ourselves.
I like my friends.
You get to help others in Cogden and Burton.
The teachers are funny and nice.
You can go outside more and do harder physical tasks.
You get to do fun things like lead in school plays and go sailing.
You have a chance to do projects and build your own things.