We were delighted to welcome local author Declan Carville to our school for an engaging and inspiring visit with our Primary 7 pupils.
Declan worked with both P7 classes, with a particular focus on his book Nelly Fandango. The story explores themes of emotional change and life transitions, which was especially meaningful for our P7 pupils as they prepare to move on to secondary school. Pupils thoroughly enjoyed listening to the story and took part in thoughtful discussions about the characters, themes, and ideas within the book. The session also explored a range of Declan’s other works, including The Incredible Sister Bridget and The Fairy Glen, giving pupils a broader insight into his writing.
Declan shared valuable perspectives on life as an author, answering questions about his journey into writing and what inspired him to pursue his career.
Following this, pupils had the opportunity to step into the role of author themselves. They created their own unique characters and developed short story plots, carefully structuring a beginning, middle, and end. Bringing their creativity even further, the children illustrated their characters and used Metasketch to animate them, truly bringing their ideas to life.
This was a fantastic experience for all involved. The children thoroughly enjoyed the session and gained so much from working with a local author. It was an inspiring and memorable day that will no doubt encourage many of our pupils to continue developing their creativity and love of writing.
