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IPS PAGETURNERS PODCAST Why not give your eyes a break and your ears a treat by listening to an episode in the IPS Pageturners podcast series?

You can hear Olivia Court, UVI discussing her Extended Project research on racism in the British justice system; Junior Debating Society tackle abandoning classic books; Poetry Slam World Champion Harry Baker and IPS Poet Laureate Alex Mortimer, LVI perform; Senior 9s Finley Naughton and Oliver Visram share their views on this year’s TSBA books and there’s a round-up of recent book news. Happy listening!

Millie Doyle, PVI

WIMBLEDON BOOKFEST YOUNG WRITERS’ COMPETITION Congratulations to Millie Doyle, PVI who was runner-up in the KS4 story category of the Wimbledon BookFest Young writers’ Competition. As previously reported [School Matters Issue 32, p.14 – Ed.] , another eleven IPS pupils who entered received ‘Commended’ or ‘Highly Commended’ certificates, with the latter recipients also given a copy of the anthology in which their works were published. This is now available in the School Library for all to read their impressive, award-winning stories and poems. Awards were presented at a remote ceremony which included a talk by novelist Patrice Lawrence.

PUPILS IN PRINT

When Senior 8 pupils Tabitha Booth and Olivia Duran volunteered to read and review Sarah Govett’s new book, they weren’t quite sure what to expect. They received a pdf copy of the manuscript and raced through the book on screen in order to complete their reviews by the deadline. Happily, they both thoroughly enjoyed it. When, two months later, they received their own copy of the finished book they were thrilled to see their reviews featuring on the back cover and on the first page! Well done to Tabitha and Olivia for putting themselves forward for the challenge and getting their words published. Could this be the start of a writing career?

Tabitha Booth and Olivia Duran, S8

CHAUCER CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP Members of the Inklings creative writing club joined Commended poets from our National Poetry Day competition to learn more about Geoffrey Chaucer from Dr Charles Farris, an academic from the Chaucer Heritage Trust. During the workshop, pupils explored the timeline of English literature, discussing Chaucer’s place in and influence on the canon. Dr Farris introduced them to The Canterbury Tales, then pupils debated Chaucer’s presentation of key characters like his (rather too worldly?) Prioress. They considered some of the key themes of Chaucer’s work, including love, death, greed and marriage, then touched briefly on his treatment of fables, such as that relayed in the Nun’s Priest’s Tale. Finally, pupils began to plan their entries for this year’s Canterbury Tales Creative Writing Competition which takes as its theme: ‘Be careful what you wish for!’ Pupils left the workshop excited to explore more of Chaucer’s writing and eager to write their own stories and poems to submit for the competition. Miss Kate O’Connor, Teacher of English