Tameside Primary Academy, in Wednesbury, recently welcomed published poet Debra Bertulis for an interactive poetry performance and workshop with pupils.
Bertulis, author of “Where Do Wishes Go?”, which has been nominated for the Spark Book Awards, shared her knowledge and expertise in poetry with pupils, encouraging them to explore and develop their own creative writing skills.
Lead teacher for reading and writing, Mrs Heeley, said: “The children had a fantastic day working collaboratively to learn all about poetry. They loved it and are already asking when they can write their next poem!”
Under Bertulis’s guidance, pupils were able to see improvements in their own writing skills, leaving them feeling proud of their work.
The day began with a fun and inspiring performance assembly featuring readings from Bertulis’s book, followed by a workshop where pupils explored their own poetry skills, before building their own writing toolboxes complete with tips and tricks for creating their own poems. Under Bertulis’s guidance, pupils were able to see improvements in their own writing skills, leaving them feeling proud of their work.
Bertulis said: “Children truly make the best poets, and this was evident during my visit to Tameside Primary Academy. I was amazed by the pupils’ receptiveness and the richness of their writing, which produced beautiful poetry.”
As well as developing pupils’ love of reading and writing, opportunities like this offer benefits across the curriculum. They encourage awareness of style, imagery, structure and audiences for children, while also promoting the sharing of ideas and approaches.
Principal of Tameside Primary Academy, Mr Hill, said: “It was an absolute joy to watch the children blossom and bloom during their sessions with Debra.
“We want to give our children these wonderful opportunities to interact with people like poets so that they can say to themselves ‘I can do it, I believe in myself and can be whatever I want to be!’ Changing mindsets and encouraging the development of children’s skills is what we are about at Tameside.”
