Portsmouth High School hosts local authors as guest story-tellers via Zoom

Portsmouth High School hosts local authors as guest story-tellers via Zoom

29 January 2021

Portsmouth High School Pre-School and Reception classes were thrilled to have the author, John Bannell, read to them, over Zoom last week. Many of the girls in the Pre-School were in the classroom and were joined by other year groups currently working from their homes.

Mr Bannell, a former Chair of Governors of Portsmouth High School, read his book Mister Toad’s Great Escape, from the comfort of his home in Clanfield. The girls were entranced with the story of an adventurous toad.

It was a pleasure to read ‘Mister Toad’s Great Escape’ over Zoom,’ said Mr Bannell. ‘I am delighted that the children in school and at home enjoyed it.’

‘Reading with children benefits their educational development and well-being and encourages a love of reading for life,’ said Mrs Fabre De La Grange, Head of Pre-Prep. ‘It promotes a growing range of new vocabulary and helps support developing language and communication skills.’

The recording of the narration was sent out to the Prep School and via Twitter to the wider community, for more parents to enjoy with their young children.

Continuing with the spirit of guest story tellers, Neal Layton, a local author, recorded his story, The Tree, which was made available to the girls over a week long period.

Neal was born and raised in Chichester but has since lived in Newcastle, Brighton, London, Slough and Glasgow. He now lives in Portsmouth with his family.

‘It is incredibly exciting for the children to have guest storytellers,’ said the Headmaster of the Prep School, Mr Paul Marshallsay. ‘For them to be the authors of the books adds an extra layer to the experience and works in great assistance to their continual love of reading.’

Next week the school has invited, via Zoom, the local author, Matthew Scott, who will be reading Cyril Squirrel. Once again, the school will make the recording available to the wider community for more people to enjoy.

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