Page 17 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • November 2008 17
Author wows Westlea youngsters Be the star that you are

Much read children’s author Ian Whybrow was the highlight of a book week for children at Westlea at Drama Babes
Primary School when he regaled them with stories about his comic creations. Voted No.1 in ‘The Times’ Top 5 for Kids
He said his inspiration had TV, but told the children how he parents to follow his three Cs. “If (Published in The Independent & The Guardian)
come from Sue Townsend’s books had to explain the fi ner points of you read to your children, you have Imagine ... fl ying through the sky on a magic
about Adrian Mole, but decided his English humour to American conversations, you have contact and carpet ... diving under the sea or shooting
he didn’t have the imagination of producers. from that you give them confi dence through the sky on your space rocket!
JK Rowling. Surprisingly he told the children to try new things. Eighty per cent of Where shall we go today? You decide!
Famed for Harry and the Dinosaurs to crib from others in their writing. parents do not spend quality time
and his tales about Sniff the dog, Ian “When you’re young you have with their children. Please sit down
had children squeeling with delight limited experience, so you must and read together.”
as he described with actions and read a lot and steal ideas from other Literacy coordinator Julie Neal Independent local theatre practitioner
facial expressions how his charac- people. Then your own ideas will said, “it was amazing to see each Classes in North & West Swindon and Cricklade
ters reveal themselves on the page start developing and your writing class hanging onto Ian’s every “This is the best thing I have brought any
through wry observations of life, will go off in different directions.” word for over 45 minutes at a time. of my children to in the last ten years”
Mum of Amelia, aged 2 and a half
particularly the behaviour of his Harry and the Dinosaurs has been They’ll be talking about his visit www.dramababes.co.uk FREE TRIAL
own children and family dog. chosen for distribution by the for weeks and their writing will Call Fiona on 07799 691328 LESSON
He explained that he had not charity Book Time to every child be inspired.”
written Harry and the Dinosaurs for in Britain and Ian made a plea to
Great fun with Ian Whybrow

NOW BACK
IN WEST
Learn more about Oakhurst school SWINDON
at public presentation

Swindon Council will announce this month whether it faces any cirencester college
competition in its bid to run the new Oakhurst school.
Government legislation gives daughter Millie is due to go to open evening
different organisations the chance school in 2010 and said that parents
to manage new schools. At a public in the area want the school to be
seminar organised by the Offi ce council run. She said, “people want
for Public Management in July a a school for Oakhurst. There will be
religious group expressed interest enough local children to fi ll it.”
in opening a school for the local Whoever runs the school Swin-
community and children of faith. don Council has secured £7 million
All applications must be received funding to build a two form entry
by 10 November and a summary school on two levels adjacent to
of bids will be published by the Pioneer Road, with a nursery and
council within three weeks. This all weather sports pitch. This should
will be followed by a six week be complete for September 2010, but
period when people can comment temporary buildings are proposed
on the proposals. so that the school can open in Sep-
A public meeting will be held by tember 2009.
OPM so that people can meet the The public meeting should take
proposers, hear more about their place in early December. To request
ideas and ask questions. a meeting date alert, mail: melanie@
Unaware of the implications spiralsites.com
of the competi-
tion rules, all but
one parent from Wednesday 5 November
Oakhurst missed 5 - 8.30 pm
the July meet-
ing. They were
later surprised to for more information
learn that places contact student services
for local children
may not be guar- 01285 640994
anteed.
Melanie East- www.cirencester.ac.uk
wood, right, at- a beacon college
tended as her

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