Meet the Author
On
Friday Year 7 students had the amazing opportunity of meeting Alexandra
Sheppard, author of the popular YA book ‘Oh My Gods’.
The
day started with an interactive and engaging assembly. Alexandra talked about
childhood experiences that shaped the writer she is today, influences on her
work and gave practical tips for budding writers.
Then 20 lucky students took part in the workshop
‘Behind the Book Cover’. Alexandra took the pupils through the process of
designing a book cover from start to finish, using her own novel as an example.
Pupils were then tasked with designing their own book cover based on a brief
provided by Alexandra. The students really got to show off their creatives
sides, designing some amazing covers! The winner, Izzi, received a signed copy
of Alexandra’s book as a prize.
Next was a Q+A, in which the students asked
Alexandra many questions about her book, inspirations, advice and how to get
published- this lasted an hour!
Students were then lucky enough to have Alexandra
do a book signing in the library over lunch. Students were able to purchase the
book (for half price!) and have it signed- an amazing experience.
The day finished with another workshop, this one
based on ‘21st Century Gods’, in which they explored the use of gods in ancient
Greece. Pupils were invited to imagine a new set of gods relevant to our modern
world and were tasked with writing an origin story for their modern god OR
putting a modern, unique spin on a classic myth. Students loved this, coming up with all sorts
of crazy ideas!
Some
quotes from students-
‘The day was REALLY fun! I loved
designing a book cover for Alex and I liked learning all about her in the
Q&A’- Chloe, Year 7
We are really lucky to have an
experience like this, as it is an inspiring event in our lives, and hopefully
we will go on to design book covers or write books’ Robin, Year 7
‘I thought that the Q&A was fun
and it helped me understand lots about her life and about being an author,
especially how hard it is. When she read out a bit of her book to us it made me
want to ready more as it was exciting’ Caitlyn, Year 7
Tri-Golf Skills Festival:
Huge congratulations to our Winston students who took part in the Surrey School Games Tri-Golf Tournament. As you can see form the photographs each one of them had a great time and performed really well. So much so that our mixed squad of boys and girls, from years 7,8 and 9, triumphed and made it through to the County Final (to be held on the 11th July at St George's College). What an achievement!
Whilst competing, our WCSC team were nominated by the organising for the respect that they were giving to one another. As a group they made sure that everyone had an equal number of turns and they all supported one another throughout the tournament. Alongside this value of 'Respect', Donny, Felicity, Alfie, Lillie, Rayhan, Georgie, Eve, Luca, Daniel and Jessie superbly demonstrated the other key values of 'Honesty'; 'Teamwork'; 'Self Belief'; 'Passion'; and 'Determination'.
Let's wish this team of achievers lots of luck for the final in a few weeks time!
