Chiddingstone Literary Festival

Class 5 were very fortunate to be able to visit Chiddingstone Castle for their famous Literary Festival. This traditionally starts over the May Bank Holiday Weekend, with a special day for schools following on. Why not put it in your diary for next year? 

We saw an amazing, eclectic collection of historical artefacts in the castle; and had the opportunity to listen to a number of authors explain how they produce such amazing books.

It was clear that to craft a good book, there is a lot of hard work needed in researching; and then refining, redrafting and editing. However, it was also clear how much enjoyment is associated with this for both reader and author! Class 5 took part in a writing workshop and now have written tips to advise others on how to write a successful story or novel. It was great to hear the authors talk, and some class members had the opportunity to ask questions to them directly. You can see one of our pupils was even able to join author Emma Carroll on stage, before getting autographs at the end of  the day. I wonder how soon it will be until people ask Class 5 members for their autograph?!

We also had the opportunity to visit representatives of the Britannica Magazine, who work in conjunction with the famous Encyclopaedia Britannica organisation; and kindly gave us free magazines as well as some incredible timeline posters.

You can find out more using this external link... www.britannicamagazine.com .

The Story Machine

Year 5 loved the whole-school story book called 'The Story Machine'. We are busy typing up some of our own versions of the picture book now. (We are trying to turn it into a chapter book). Watch this space for our versions; but in the meantime - please have a look at our typewriters and other inventions below. 

The Series of Unfortunate Events
The Bad Beginning!

Year 5 tried hard to wade through the misery of this book! Those poor Bauldelaire orphans! Lemony Snicket quite rightly warned us to put the book down and go and do something jolly instead; but sadly we didn't listen! Oh me, oh my! Well - if you want to take your mind off the dastardly deeds of Count Olaf and his awful acting troupe, we have a few other book recommendations for you here...

Who Has The Right to Education?

The children worked really hard to write their own Forwards/Backwards poem about education based on Brian Bilson's poem 'Refugee'. We hope you enjoyed our performance of it at Harvest. You can read it here again Top-to-bottom and then Bottom-to-top. It fits in well with the journey of Little Alma, who is searching for a safe place, her mother and education. (You can track her journey on this external website... https://www.walkwithamal.org/) 

Who Should Have the Right to Education?                          

They have no need of education                                            
Do not tell me                                                            
These people and their ideas could be part of our school
Should education have a different point                               
We need to see them for who they really are                       
Silly                                                                             
Worthless                                                                   
Unteachable                                                               
They are not                                                               
Welcome in schools                           
We should make them                                                           
Go without education
They can not                                                               
Share our wisdom
Share our knowledge                                                 
Share our ideas                                                                      
Instead let us                                                              
Tell them to stay at home
It is not okay to say                                                    
Education is for everyone                  
It only belongs to us                                                               
Don’t be so silly to think that                                     
Education can be looked at another way

(Now read from bottom to top)

By Class 5 with thanks to Brian Bilston's Refuges poem for inspiration