| Michael Morpurgo at Bryanston 21st April |
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Year 7 hear Michael Morpurgo on 21st April On Tuesday 21st April, fifteen Year 7 boys together with 2 members of staff, set off early in the morning for Bryanston School in Blandford, Dorset. On arrival we admired the beautiful setting and grounds and received a warm welcome from the English Department. The boys attended three 35 minute writing sessions during which they studied passages from Michael Morpurgo’s books and practised writing their own stories looking particularly at ‘setting’, ‘character’ and ‘narrative’. During lunch, the staff had an opportunity to talk with Michael and his lovely wife Clare. Afterwards, Michael Morpurgo spoke to a full theatre where our boys had managed to secure front row seats. Michael has written over one hundred books for children and has an unparalleled reputation as a storyteller. He was larger than life on stage and his excitable passion for stories shone through. Michael answered several questions from the audience and our very own Richard Breckenridge was invited by Michael to ask the last question of the afternoon from his front row seat. Richard’s question was based on Michael’s book “Private Peaceful” which the boys in Year 7 are all reading. Bryanson’s hospitality was surpassed when we were all given an ice cream tub for our journey. We left the school grounds in glorious sunshine and arrived back at Elstree, much to the delight of the boys, just in time for games. This is a day that will be fondly remembered by all of us. |