Monthly Archives: December 2016

The Kid’s Lit National Final 2016

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Well done to Georgina 8C, Daisy  7C, Jessica and Felix  7S, who represented Litcham School at the UK National Final of the Kids’ Lit Quiz on Wednesday and achieved twelfth place – we are very proud of you. It is an amazing achievement to have taken part in this national competition for the third year running.

023Since their landslide win at the regional heat in November, the Litcham team have been working hard to prepare for the final, researching authors, illustrators, award winning books, and basically reading anything they can get their hands on. At lunchtimes they have been practising their question answering techniques, with the help of student coach Amelia 9B.

The National final was held at The City of London School for Girls, where Litcham School competed against 17 other regional winners from across the country, including teams from as far afield as Scotland, Ireland and Wales. They answered five rounds of ‘buzzer style’ questions on authors, book titles, opening paragraphs, creatures and types of books. It was a very difficult and tense competition with team positions changing at the end of every set of questions.

The competition was attended by whole a host of authors including Meg Rosoff, Andy Briggs, Lisa Williamson and Helen Moss amongst others. Students were given the opportunity to meet with them and have books signed. It was a brilliant day. Mrs Berry

  “The Kid’s Lit Quiz was an amazing experience and a great opportunity to meet new people and travel to new places. It was one of the best things I’ve ever done and I am so glad that I tried for it. It was great to learn new things about books and meet great authors! I have really enjoyed my time in the Kid’s Lit Quiz.” Georgina 8C
“I had an unforgettable experience of a lifetime at the National Kids Lit Quiz. The quiz was nerve wracking but exciting at the same time. I thought the hardest category was on ‘Types of Books’. Everyone was really friendly and the food, especially the cake, was delicious. Even though we didn’t win ‘we learn from not winning’ as the author Meg Rosoff said in her opening speech.” Jessica 7C

“It was really fun at the quiz. We got to meet lots of authors were who really friendly and nice. The quiz master Wayne Mills was very funny and made it enjoyable for everyone. The school that hosted it was next to the Barbican in London and the students were very polite.  Afterwards we had a celebratory tea – the food was really good, especially the sandwiches! Overall it was a very enjoyable experience.”  Daisy 7C

“I enjoyed the quiz even though we didn’t win. The questions were challenging, but that made it more interesting. It was very different from the regionals. Although I am disappointed that we didn’t come back with the cup, the other team Kingston Grammar were worthy winners.” Felix 7S

“The Quiz was fascinating to watch. It was incredibly hard but thrilling. Our team did so well. To reach the finals was a great achievement for a small state school like ours. The authors were inspiring and great advocates. The whole event showed how reading isn’t boring but an important skill that can take you everywhere – even London! Although they didn’t win, our team have a lot to be proud of. They have championed reading and hopefully inspired new generations of Kid’s Lit Quizzers.” Amelia 9B
 

A visit from our ‘Author in Residence’ – Helen Moss

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Litcham School’s ‘Author in Residence’, Helen Moss, visited the secondary phase on Thursday the 1st of December, to carry out some creative writing workshops with selected students from Years 7, 8 and 9. During her workshop she talked about the research she had done in order to write her book series the ‘Secret of the Tombs’. She explored different themes and types of writing and provided students with lots of useful hints and tips on how to make their creative writing more exciting in order grab the reader’s attention. The students then had to plan a piece of writing that was loosely related to Helen’s series of books and these will be put together in an anthology, including a new short story written by Helen herself.  We had a brilliant day and are looking forward to welcoming Helen back in the New Year.

005“I really enjoyed the exciting visit with Helen Moss. I was one of the children chosen to do one of her workshops and I am glad I was! Helen told us about the sort of books she writes. She really inspired me to pick up my pen and start writing.” Rubie 7W

“I loved the author visit with Helen Moss because we learnt how to write a good mystery story and how to build it with tension with just a few words. We did our planning for our short stories which will hopefully be put together into a big book of all our stories. I really enjoyed the workshop – thank you Helen for coming in!” Sophie 7W

“I did enjoy Helen Moss’s workshop. She tried to learn something about each person and what type of books we liked, forging some friendships in the group that weren’t there before. We also got to understand the story behind her books which I found unique, as I have not seen that before in an author’s workshop.  We got to think of our own adventure, a tomb raider type story improving our English skills, which we hope to put in a Litcham School anthology. We had a laugh thinking up a story for Helen to write as well. Some people have taken on the responsibility of organising and editing the anthology without any gain. Every one enjoyed her five word starter game, which allowed them to socialise and learn at the same time.” Finlay 8C

“It was brilliant to take part in a creative writing workshop organised by Helen Moss. Her presentation was very engaging. She really enthused us all. It was fascinating to learn about her writing methods for example, her objects that are used to prompt her writing. Helen was a great advocate for the true meaning of writing. She showed us how writing does not have to be hard but can be an outlet for creativity. I loved taking part in her activity ‘5 Word Wonder’. In groups we each wrote five words to come up with unique stories. Helen inspired every one of us. She helped us to improve our confidence in writing. Even better her workshop showcased the many different genres of writing. I think Helen Moss is a fantastic ‘Author in Residence’. A stronger voice for reading could not be found.” Amelia 9B

A Year 10 review of ‘The Danish Girl’ by David Ebershoff

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The Danish Girl by David Ebershoff is a fascinating tale of a young Danish painter who doesn’t feel right in his body. He feels different and insecure, like something needs to change.

the-danish-girl-mtiIt all starts when Einar’s wife, Gerda, needs her husband to model a dress for a new painting. Einar discovers how comfortable he is in female clothing – and Lili is born. It starts with Lili appearing now and then for modelling, but as time goes on, Lili makes more appearances – although Gerda finished her painting a long time ago. The extraordinary transformation begins another life, a secret life – meeting new people, seeing old friends, new lovers.

The doctors believe that Einars need to dress as a woman is evil, and that he is posessed by the devil. Pressured by society, Einar has to choose – live comfortably as Lili, or uncomfortably as Einar. Old friends and loved ones help Lili on her journey, her journey of life.

I would definitely recommend this book, as long as you have an open mind. It is a difficult book to read, but definitely worthwhile. It makes you think differently about life, and consider other peoples’ problems and insecurities.

By Katherine, Year 10