Cardiff City FC Reading Stars

Here's a BIG HELLO to all of the Reading Stars that are coming along to join in the fun at the Cardiff City Stadium this week... I had a great time last week with everyone at the Swansea Stadium and now I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone from Pontypridd, Cathays High, Romily Primary School, Ifor Hael, Lakeside Primary, Albert Primary School, Dyffryn Taf, Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig and Fairwater Primary School (Ysgol Gynradd Y Tyllgoed)...

A big thank you to the national Literacy Trust for arranging the events and for inviting me to take part.

See you all soon.

Premier League Reading Stars

I had a great time last week visiting The Liberty Stadium in Swansea - home to both Swansea City Football Club and the Ospreys Rugby Team - so that I could meet keen 'Premier League Reading Stars' from lots of schools in and around the Swansea area...

It was the first time I've been to Swansea though Vicky and I will certainly be going back to have a proper look round in the near future. When I go off visiting schools and libraries around the country I usually only get a brief glimpse of places (just motorways, a hotel room and a school or library - but sometimes that's enough to make us want to go back for a better look).

I had planned to arrive in Swansea earlier in the day so that I would have a bit more time to have a walk and a drive around but unfortunately our car was in the garage being repaired so I didn't get there until around 7 in the evening - just enough time to have a little walk before getting something for my tea and then settling down for a bit of  rest before the rest of the week's activities. I was very impressed with the Sail Bridge that spans the river by the harbour...

On the morning of the visit to the Liberty Stadium I was up early for breakfast, a drive over to the stadium, set up for the day's events and still enough time for a little look round.

It was great meeting everyone and a real privilege to be allowed to have a wander around the stadium.
On the way home I took the scenic route over the beautiful Brecon Beacons...

Catching brief glimpses of wild ponies on the way

and past the Brecon Reservoir...

This week I'm off to Cardiff City Football Stadium for another big Premier League Reading Stars with the National Literacy Trust... I can't wait...   

Premier League Reading Stars

Today I'm in Swansea and very much looking forward meeting everyone at the Swansea City Football Stadium for a big event that has been arranged with the National Literacy Trust. I will blog more about the even and about the Premier League Football Stars but for now you can click HERE to visit the official website to find out all about it. 

I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone involved, an especially the everyone from Beufort Hill, Abersychan School, Ysgol Lon Las, Awel Y Mor Primary School, Pengelli Primary School, St Mary's and St Patrick's RC Maesteg, Newton Primary School, Penyrheol Comprehensive, Cwmbach Community School, Bishop Gore School, and Pembroke Dock Community School. 

See you all soon...

Patron Of Reading

I'm delighted to say that I've been added to the list of authors who are already a Patron of Reading - or who are keen to become Patrons of Reading. In case you're wondering just what a Patron of Reading is... Read on...

Background History - A few years ago Tim Redgrave, then the deputy head at Ysgol Esgob Morgan Juniors in St Asaph, Denbighshire, took his Y6 class to St Asaph Library to hear the wonderful Helena Pielichaty give a talk as part of Denbighshire Libraries Book Week. As always, Helena's session went down a storm and she made a huge impression, not only on the children, but also on Tim. He never forgot the impact the visit had and towards the end of 2010, Helena received an email from Tim, now headteacher at the school, telling her that he’d had this idea for promoting and nurturing a love of reading. How about every school having a patron of reading? He wanted to know if Helena thought that it was a good idea and if so, would she be his school’s first patron? Of course Helena said yes. 

What is a patron of reading? - A Patron of Reading is children's author that forms a personal attachment to, and works closely with, one school over a period of time (perhaps three years) to raise the profile of reading for pleasure with pupils, staff and parents.

What does a patron of reading do? - There are lots of things that a Patron of Reading can do, and this may vary from author to author, but here's a few suggestions from Tim and Helena...

• Visit the school (at least once a year) to maintain a physical contact.
• Write to the school to share news of books and what's happening.
• Link the school to the author website and have a designated section where children can leave comments or add writing and reviews.
• Send signed copies of books for the school library.
• Encourage individual pupils via email or Skype etc if they've achieved something special relating to reading or writing (made significant progress/won a competition/ been selected for a writing squad etc).
• Work in school with pupils on their own writing as Writer in Residence.
• Give out prizes.
• Encourage school to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge and other book related activities.
• Support staff and parents in new literacy endeavours.
• Share ideas about books to read with staff and pupils.

What does the school do? - This can vary from school to school but here are some suggestions...

• Booked the author for school visits.
• Put a link to the authors website and blog on the school website and in school newsletter.
• Include information about the author on the school website and in the school newsletter.
• Have a display about the author, their writing and their books, in the school library.
• Send stories, poems and pictures that some of the classes have produced (some of these could be put on the authors website).
• Hold a fun book quiz that could include, parents, governors, teachers, teaching assistants and pupils. 
• Interact with the author by comments on blogs (parents can interact in this way too).
• Use social networking sites such as Twitter to spread the word about the role of the Patron of Reading.
• Involve the local press to further spread the word of Patrons of Reading and show what the school is doing to encourage reading for pleasure.

Financial cost to the school - The school would be expected to pay for any visit the POR makes in the usual way.  A visit at least once a year is advisable so each class builds up a relationship with the patron.

For more information - take a look at the Patron of Reading website by clicking here, visit Helena Pielichaty's POR page by clicking here, or visit the POR page on Ysgol Esgob Morgan's website by clicking here.

If you're interested in having me as your Patron of Reading - give me a shout.