EPHS First Story Young Writers Book Launch Event

We were really thrilled and delighted to welcome back our First Story Author-in-Residence, Rachel Seiffert, who braved the searing heat to celebrate the publication of our student's First Story Young Writers anthology, The Maze of the Mind.  Copies were given out to many of the students who took part in the Young Writers creative writing programme this year, the rest will be distributed at a later date. Rachel very kindly signed copies on request and was glowing with praise for everyone who took part and the welcome that she had received at EPHS.

Some of our Young Writers with Ms Altenburg and Rachel Seiffert

Ms Altenburg and Mr Butler

Our new Head Teacher, Mr Butler joined the celebrations alongside Ms Altenburg, Ms Callaghan, Ms Norbert, Mrs Daykin and Mrs Nolan, to congratulate the students on their fantastic achievement.

Led in school by EPHS English Teacher Ms Altenburg, the First Story Young Writers Programme, involved a core group of 21 students from Years 10 and 11, who worked with Rachel, our assigned professional writer, on a series of writing projects to develop their writing styles and go on their own personal journeys.  Rachel’s inspiring mentoring  allowed the students to produce some truly fantastic work. 

Ms Altenburg and Rachel Seiffert

Thank you to everyone who took part in the programme this year.  We are really looking forward to welcoming Rachel back again in the next academic year to work with a new group of students.

The Maze of the Mind is available to borrow from the Upper Library, together with Rachel Seiffert's Booker Shortlisted novel, The Dark Room.  A copy of The Maze of the Mind will also be held in the British Library.

New Children’s Laureate Announced!

Award-winning poet, Carnegie Award shortlisted author and playwright, Joseph Coelho has been announced as the Waterstones Children’s Laureate for 2022-24.  

The role of Children's Laureate is awarded every two years to celebrate an exceptional author or illustrator of children’s books and to recognise their importance in creating new readers.  Joseph Coelho will be the 12th Laureate and follows on from author Cressida Cowell.  To find out more, visit the Children’s Laureate website.

Joseph’s Carnegie shortlisted book, The Girl Who Became A Tree, is available to borrow from the Lower Library.

Summer Reading 2022

The long summer holiday is the perfect opportunity to relax with a good book or two! Whether you are going away or having a 'staycation', we would love you to let us know what you were reading by sending us a postcard!  All entrants will have their postcards displayed and will receive an achievement point.

It’s really important to develop a reading habit so set aside time every day to read - maybe just 15 mins to begin with.  And remember, if you don’t enjoy reading at the moment it’s just that you haven’t found the right book yet! 

Research from the National Literacy Trust on well-being and reading has shown that reading is most successful when you choose what to read.  There are lots of great book recommendation websites out there (you will find links on this blog).  One of our favourites is LoveReading4Kids - check out their summer reading list by clicking here.