EPHS First Story Young Writers Anthology Launch Event 2023

Yesterday, we were delighted to welcome back our wonderful First Story Author-in-Residence, Rachel Seiffert and her mentee Carrie Sweeney to help us celebrate the publication of our student's First Story Young Writers anthology, Unorthodox Progeny. With poems, prose and cover design all by EPHS students.  Every student who took part in the programmed received a certificate and two copies of the anthology and Millie, Rose and Taylor recited some of their poems.

Our Head Teacher, Mr Butler joined the celebrations alongside Ms Koca, Mrs Nolan,Ms Peters, Ms Callaghan, Ms Rodgerson, Mrs Roszkowski, Ms Healey, Ms Ravaneau, Mx Burgess and Ms Aiken, our Head of English, to congratulate the students on their fantastic achievement.  

A special mention was given to the four students who were also First Story Competition winners, Millie, Rose, Jonathan and 
Micah, as well as Tariana, who received an honorary mention for her Eco Poetry competition entry.  In addition Millie will be going on the First Story Summer Residential programme this July and Rose's artwork was chosen as the cover design for the anthology.  

Led in school by EPHS English Teacher Ms Koca, the First Story Young Writers Programme, involved a core group of 20 students from Years 9 and 10, 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. 

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.

Unorthodox Progeny will be available to borrow from the Upper Library, together with Rachel Seiffert's Booker Shortlisted novel, The Dark Room.  A copy of Unorthodox Progeny will also be held in the British Library and Bodleian Library, Oxford.