On Wednesday 21st February a selection of students from Years 7, 8, 9 and two from Year 10 were, once again, joined by local and nationally recognised author/scriptwriter, Catherine Johnson, to participate in a writing workshop.  Catherine has just finished writing two short novels for Barrington Stoke, due out in November 2018. She has also recently submitted a script to the BFI (British Film Institute) and has been collaborating with Scholastic Publishing on a historical series of books aimed at boys. When Catherine is not doing all that, she runs writing workshops in schools across the country. I suspect she wears her pants on top of her tights!!!

Our librarian, Kim Wark, who arranged the workshops and Greta Taylor, who assisted, would like to express their thanks to Catherine for inspiring our students and for kindly donating a box of books to the library. Thanks also to the Foundation Governors for their support in enabling this event to happen.

Catherine launched the sessions with activities to inspire students to write. Props were provided to encourage everyone to create their own stories.

Here are a few excerpts from their work:

He opened the first three envelopes.
The first and second both said 'Meet me at 7.00p.m.'
Then he opened the third and it read 'Don't be late!'
The rescue manoeuvre was one she had practiced many a time, but not on sandstone and also not with a broken carabina.
Throwing her harness was all she could do to slow her sharp descent.
I was where I ended up at the end of the day, under the bridge. But this time I knew that he'd come to finish the job.
A few minutes before the curtain was up and the show started, she struggled to perfect her make up with a shaky hand.
All the time in the world would not be enough to make this decision.
"Mike?", said the man in front of him, eager to hear the boy speak.
 " I will give you a minute to think it over."
"No!", said Mike in quick reply. "I'm ready.!
It was jet black, like the sun had imploded. We came prepared with two torches. Walking around the building was slightly terrifying.