ALMOST 350 students from 11 primary schools were treated to an energetic and inspirational talk from an esteemed author on January 31.
Steve Cole leapt around Leighton Park School’s main hall, ukulele in hand, to discuss his journey as a writer in an interactive session with Year 5 pupils.
The creator of Young Bond, Astrosaurs and Cows in Action spoke about his experiences from being a youngster with a fear of aliens to publishing more than 200 books.
Of the event, the school’s librarian Grace Ritchie said: “We were so delighted to welcome Steve Cole back onto the park today. We are so lucky to have him as our Patron of Reading and it was a great opportunity to extend the experience to students in the wider community outside Leighton Park.
“It is always lovely to see him inspiring a love of reading in the younger students, and they were absolutely roaring with laughter the whole way through.”
Steve’s energy ensured the talk and subsequent Q&A session will live long in the memories of those in attendance.
Liara from The Ridgeway Primary School said: “He was funny and inspired me to write a book,” while classmate Abir added: “I loved how he made us giggle. I was very lucky to meet him. My favourite book by Steve Cole is Astrosaurs because it is about dinosaurs in space which is creative.”
The event also got a seal of approval from Jacob of St Edward’s Prep who described it as “10 out of 10”. Lucy from Caversham Prep said: “I think the day was the best.”
The schools who joined the event were: Caversham Prep, Christ the King Primary, St Edward’s Prep, Geoffrey Field Junior, St Mary’s Henley, The Palmer Academy, St Piran’s School, Ridgeway Primary, Whitley Park Primary, St Teresa’s Catholic Academy and New Christ Church Primary.
Each school was welcomed on the day by one of Leighton Park’s Year 10 literacy ambassadors, students trained to deliver support in primary schools by Assisting Berkshire Children with Reading.
These students deliver fortnightly sessions featuring literacy activities or listening to younger pupils read as part of their creativity, activity and service curriculum.
Helen Bambridge, head of Year 5 at St Piran’s in Maidenhead, said: “Book Week last week at our school was space themed and Year 5 pupils are reading Astrosaurs as a class reader.
“I hoped that our pupils would learn about the joy of reading, inspired by a real author. From the laughter and the discussions all were engaged and they have benefitted by being motivated to read a book by Steve Cole.”
