Cowes Enterprise College teamed up with the Isle of Wight Literary Festival last week to host some inspirational speakers and performers – including world famous author, Michael Morpurgo.
Last Friday (16th October) Cowes Enterprise College hosted a selection of events to enlighten our students. These included Bridget Minamore (a Spoken Word poet), Tom Chatfield (author of ‘Live This Book’), Hannah George and James Whitehouse (screen writers for Wolfblood and Dick and Dom) and The Sleeping Trees (a touring fringe theatre group).
Workshops and talks ran across the day with Year 8 and 9 students working with the authors, and Year 11 and 6th Form Drama students working with The Sleeping Trees. Year 8 students particularly enjoyed the workshop led by screenwriters Hannah and James, and librarian Helen Kelly explained:
“The duo told us how they decide on the action in the show; how the characters act given a set of circumstances, and how the audience are made to feel during the show’s progress. It was fascinating to watch a TV show, whilst being talked through it by the people who had penned the words.”
Each event was enlightening and students really enjoyed themselves. Ida Ekspong, 17, who took part in a workshop with The Sleeping Trees, said:
“The group were amazing. They were funny, talented and above all worked amazingly together and with us.”
Following this, on the Saturday, 500 people enjoyed a talk by world famous author, Michael Morpurgo, writer of the popular ‘War Horse’ and ‘Private Peaceful’. Morpurgo came to Cowes Enterprise College to talk about his new book, ‘An Eagle in the Snow’.
Morpurgo was an excellent speaker and members of the public said that he was, “hugely entertaining for both adults and children.” His captivated audience were very impressed and were able to get books signed and meet Mr Morpurgo themselves after the talk.
Oliver Scragg, 16, who met Mr Morpurgo, said:
“Michael Morpurgo was a kind and down to earth character and easily engaged his audience with his passionate speech.”
