Author visit by Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill
This afternoon we were absolutely delighted to welcome Olympic Athlete and now children’s author, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill to Westholme. This visit was held in conjunction with Silverwood Events.
On arrival, Jessica was warmly greeted by our Sports’ Captains who briefly chatted with her before the official event began.
Our Junior School pupils were joined by children from nine other visiting primary schools to listen to Jessica talk about her second book in the Magic Bracelet series, ‘The Enchanted Puppy’, which was only just published today.
Jake from Silverwood Events conducted the on-stage interview with Jessica, and she talked animatedly about the reasons behind her decision to start writing books for children and how she was inspired by her own childhood, growing up in Sheffield.
The children were rather star struck to begin with but managed to find the courage to ask some wonderfully diverse and searching questions, such as how Jessica felt when she was injured, and what does she eat for breakfast on the day of an important sporting event.
Jessica was asked about whether her three year old son liked her books, to which she replied that he is a little young, but does sit very still whilst she reads to him! She also explained how she has only been writing for a year but loves her new career and is looking forward to writing the next book in the series of seven.
Jessica then signed books for all of the children, taking time to talk to them individually and sit for photographs. Everyone loved meeting her and hopefully it will inspire many of them to either become the next Gold Medal Olympian or a best-selling author!
Our thanks to Jessica for visiting our school and being such a wonderful speaker, and also to Elaine and Jake from Silverwood Events for organising the event. You can see a short film from the event below.
We have also been featured today in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph by writer Neil Athey and photographer Tim Bradley. To read the full article please click here.
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