Pennthorpe pupils pen their way to an award

Christina Gabbitas visited the Rudgwick school on Friday September 18 after a book, made up of the work of 62 children from the UK including eight Pennthorpe pupils, received a Dame Beryl Bainbridge Award.

Author Christina, who also masterminded initiative ‘An Invitation To Capture The Primary School Nation’ picked up the award issued by The Peoples Book Prize on behalf of the children at a televised ceremony at Stationer’s Hall in London .

She said: “It has been a great honour to receive such an award on behalf of the children. The imagination and effort invested in these budding poets, makes them a pleasure to read over and over again.”

‘The Children’s Poetry Book Volume 2’ was created through the initiative to inspire and help other children with Barnardos benefitting from donations from book sales which has now topped £1,000.

Christina’s competition saw children aged 7-11 invited to write an ‘eight line rhyme’ after learning that her son, who was later diagnosed with Dyslexia, was able to learn easier through short, bursts of rhyming words.

She wanted an initiative that children of all abilities have an opportunity of to take part in with an opportunity of having some of their work published.

More recently, Pennthorpe pupil Millie Davis, aged 9, won the 2015 national initiative with her poem ‘Bouncing Bananas’.

It will feature in the latest book ‘Children’s Poetry Volume two’ which is inspired by the topic of exercise and healthy food.

Christina Gabbitas is pictured with Pennthorpe staff member Lydia Allen and pupils (back row left to right) Amelia Baggott, Millie Davis, Kate Kerven, Jenny Adams and (front row left to right,)Tiggy Bellinger and Anna Stephenson.

For more information visit www.poemsandpictures.co.uk

Report and picture contributed by Christina Gabbitas.