Inspiring Author Visit for Years 7 and 10

Last term. the Library organised for Boys’ Division students in Years 7 and 10 to hear talks on a variety of topics from published author Matt Dickinson.

approach to writing an article, which fitted in with their English Language curriculum focusing on reading, exploring and writing non-fiction texts. All boys were engrossed and wrote notes throughout and asked some really insightful questions at the end of the fifty minutes. This was then followed up in English lessons, where students were asked to write an article debating whether Mount Everest should remain open, especially with its recent status as a ‘Bucket List’ life experience.

Picture this: an empty Everest. The only sound being that harsh, howling wind at the summit of the prestigious mountain. You look up and around: the only view is the derelict, isolated building. The crippled infrastructure of the local village left bare, visible, vivid. Hopes and dreams destroyed. One decision, one fateful decision. The perfect natural beauty will never be seen again. This is why Everest should be kept open. Zac McAllister (10b)

This is not the first time that Matt has visited the school, but it is the first time speaking to these two year groups. Year 10 were given an insight in to journalism and were supported in a real life

The economic benefits of the tourists who climb Everest are immeasurable; they have turned neighbouring villages from being rural and poor to having proper infrastructure and money to hand. From this, schools were built, roads were laid and shops and businesses were created. Each climber pays £50,000 to climb the mountain, so imagine the profits from a whole group of climbers. Ed

Goodfellow (10d)

Year 7 experienced a variety of talks across the day, led by their questions and intrigue and as always, Matt used his experience of climbing Mount Everest countless times to entice boys into issues around the environment, geography, science, and even topics such as economics and morality issues.

This year for National Poetry Day, BSBD English and BSBD Eco launched a poetry competition to coincide with visiting published author and adventurer Matt Dickinson, who kindly agreed to judge entries and select the winning prize.

The theme this year was ‘The Environment’ and this clearly inspired boys and we had many fantastic entries. It was certainly difficult to short list and Matt had a difficult task in selecting one overall winner.

‘Rivington’ by Ethan Knight is a worthy winner of this poetry prize. It caught my attention immediately with its bold use of vocabulary and an evocative atmosphere. He connects the ebb and flow of the natural world (rivers carrying fragments of rock) with the human experience (I inhale the recently moisturised air) in a sophisticated way. Nice work Ethan well done! Matt Dickinson

‘Rivington’

As the petrichor set in over the moors, I inhale the recently moisturised air. A scene of layers with all its contours, Creates a place beyond compare.

Meandering rivers carrying fragments of rock, Depositing sediments to outside banks. Constantly flowing around the clock, The time has come to give our thanks.

Terraced gardens, a replica castle, Breathtaking views and hidden gems. Natural landscape that really does dazzle, Unspoilt, unscathed that no one condemns.

So let us be proud of our wondrous outdoors And all that surrounds us nearby. The petrichor set in over the moors, My home, my haven, I cry.

Ethan Knight (7e)

‘Our Forest’

When the sun rises, in the forest evergreen, The birds tweet and sing for everybody to hear

Sometimes it can sound, as if they’re singing for their queen, But if you approach them too loudly, they may fear.

The decaying leaves, rustle on the forest floor, A home to worms, mini-beasts and insects

If you walk on the leaves, it’s like knocking on their doors Telling them to hide and watch, the sight of the prospect.

And when the smell of foul dung, creeps into your nostrils, You know an animal has eaten well, and is resting after its meal.

If you steal the remains, you’ll hear a high pitched trill, It’ll chase after you, and the chase becomes real.

But when night falls and the forest settles down, The living in the forest is no longer a game.

Out come the apex predators wearing a crown Coming to attack and inflict pain.

But the real apex predators, Aren’t wild cats, snakes or sharks, But mankind itself, Coming from afar.

Out comes the evil poacher, Looking for huge game to kill, Then he sells for money the deer and the tiger, So his happiness can be fulfilled.

After seeing the poor animals’ health.

But this isn’t only in the woods, Also in deserts, sea and even mud, And on other of the earth’s habitats, Housing reptiles, insects and wild cats. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg, (Which is also another habitat), The food chain goes very deep, With many species that have never been seen.

Nature is vast and unending, From flowers, to squirrels and birds in the garden, It’s not something to be played with, But admired, viewed and protected.

Sochi Umeadi (9a)

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The sea was full of much litter

The land was piled with many dead critter’

Volcanoes explode

Mountains erode

We will all become fritter

Xuan Wang (13g)

But the animals of the forest should be protected, As it’s a thriving eco-system in itself,

If you damage the forest, you’ll regret it,