Professional footballer and author Seth Burkett visited Chase High School in Westcliff to ignite a love of reading and writing among Year 7 and 8 students. The creator of The Football Goat series delivered assemblies discussing his football career and what inspired him to become a writer. He also answered students' questions about his books and led reading and writing workshops designed to encourage creativity and stepping outside comfort zones.
Engaging Workshops and Assemblies
During the workshops, students demonstrated resilience, creativity, and great imagination. Louise Bayliss, library hub manager, praised the event: "The whole day was a complete success; students enjoyed the experience immensely. They demonstrated resilience, creativity, and great imagination during their creative writing workshops." She added that students showed "excellent ingenuity and critical thinking skills while applying what they had learned from Seth."
Impact on Students
Bayliss emphasized the benefits of author visits: "Author visits can be hugely beneficial for all readers, including those who may be more reluctant, as they can be a major source of inspiration for young people. Through meeting authors, the writing process, books, and the authors themselves become accessible and real to students." She noted that such visits provide vital opportunities to engage young people with literacy and encourage them to try writing themselves.
Success and Enthusiasm
The event was a resounding success, with students showing exceptional engagement and passion for writing. "We are incredibly proud of the effort and enthusiasm shown by all students," Bayliss concluded. The visit by Seth Burkett not only promoted literacy but also demonstrated how sports can inspire academic pursuits.
