Year 6 - Nick Butterworth Visit

This week we were really excited to be visited by internationally renowned author Nick Butterworth! The children remembered meeting Mr Butterworth when he last visited our school to open the new library 5 years ago. At that time the children were in Year 1 and dressed up as their class animal (either rabbits or squirrels), so they enjoyed reminiscing about that day. 

This time, Year 6 were invited to join Nick for a workshop where he talked about his love for typography, illustration and storytelling. The children were able to learn some techniques for drawing numbers and letters, as well as facial expressions. After that, Nick read one of his stories, 'The Whisperer', talking about what inspired him to write the book from the perspective of an untrustworthy narrator. He shared some of the hidden meanings in his illustrations, and explained how the story was being told through both the words and the pictures! We all felt so lucky to have been able to listen to such an esteemed children's author talk about his creative process!

Our ambassadors and prefects were invited to join Nick for lunch, and he answered lots of their questions about his life, career and the things that have inspired him. One of the children described him as "fascinating". 

Both Year 6 classes also had their final Forest School session of the year this week, getting the opportunity to learn how to build their own fires for the kelly kettles using firewood they had prepared in previous weeks. The children learnt a technique to layer the different materials together and create a successful fire. Ask them what it was called and how they did it! A successful fire led to a boiled kettle which meant hot chocolate for all - yum!