Book Week Gets Prep Talking

Alongside joyful concerts, hilarious concerts and wonderful workshops, World Book Week has also provided our pupils with the chance to hear from a diverse range of speakers, all of whom have a connection with wonderful water!

On Monday, author (and Prep parent) Gavin Knight hosted a talk and writing workshop framed around his book, ‘The Swordfish and the Star’. Children discussed writing techniques, including the skill of ‘show don’t tell’ to create pictures from words. Mr Knight talked about the journey researching his book with local Newlyn fishermen and the experience of sending it off to a publisher. Alongside practical activities, Mr Knight also read passages from his book to launch this exciting week of activities.

The environment was a topic close to everyone’s heart as our community considered ‘wonderful water’ and what that means to us. Pupils across the school were treated to informative and inspiring talks from a Water Safety Education Manager & Lifeguard, the National Coast Watch, the Beach Guardians, British Marine Life Rescue, and Ash Height from Underwater Safari to name but a few.

Our Year 6 group were joined by Peter, RNLI volunteer and retired lawyer to talk all things water safety. Peter spoke of the importance of being safe in the water, especially for those, like us, living so close to the sea.

On Monday afternoon, St Agnes Head National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) presented to Year 3 and 4 pupils about their vital role in protecting the coast path and four hundred miles of sea from their position at St Agnes. Pupils were invited to visit the station at a later date for a tour and given handouts of flyers and stickers.

Mark Weston, Station Manager for the National Coast Watch at St Agnes Head, summarised his time at Truro School Prep as “one of best experiences I have had providing an overview of NCI.  I loved how inquisitive the children were and how disciplined they all were. They were a credit to you and the school.” Well done to all of our amazing pupils!

On Tuesday, Year 5 was treated to a thoroughly enjoyable talk from Luke Gamble, vet and charity ambassador from WVS, about ocean rescue through the eyes of a vet. Luke talked them through his experiences with taking care of wildlife from Nepal to Mexico, showing the group videos of his work to save the lives of countless creatures. Luke gave each child a wristband and bookmark during his visit and congratulated pupils on their work on plastic pollution, a key challenge for vets working with marine life.

Wednesday afternoon was especially exciting for Turan and Florence, who assisted British Marine Life Rescue in weighing a (replica) seal as their peers learnt of the charity’s important work rescuing marine life, including seals in Cornwall. Pupils were advised on what to do should they find an injured or stranded seal.

With talks from Pendennis Shipyard, Guinness World Record Holder Hannah Davies, super yacht captain Jamie Cox and Captain John Vercoe from the Merchant Navy, the week was a veritable smorgasbord of fascinating insights, hilarious and memorable stories and valuable information regarding all things to do with water, our Cornish coasts and what our oceans provide for us and the wider world.

Our lucky pupils were also treated to a plethora of readers who gave up their time for jackanory sessions across the week, reading water-related text to our enraptured pupils.

We would like to thank all of our incredible speakers for giving up their time to talk to our pupils and thank Ms Cad for coordinating these wonderful learning opportunities. Well done to all of our pupils too. Feedback throughout the week spoke of how engaged they were, that they were “a joy to teach” and fabulous ambassadors for the school.