Felpham Community College were excited to welcome Anthony Mcgowan, author and Carnegie Medal winner, on Wednesday 18^th March.

Anthony spent the day working with year 7 students, running interactive workshops to inspire writing and ethuse

the joy of reading. Students have been reading and enjoying his book ‘I am a Minotaur’ this academic year in school. He has written a number of other popular books for children, teenagers and adults, including the trilogy ‘Brock’, ‘Pike’ and ‘Rook’, and the Carnegie Medal-winning ‘Lark’.

Students enjoyed hearing about Antony’s career path and his inspirations, as well as having the opportunity to have their books signed by him. He commented how impressed he was with the detailed and mature questions Felpham students quizzed him with.

Ms Kelly, Deputy Headteacher commented:
“So often, authors remain faceless names on the front cover of a book.  Meeting Anthony McGowen in person allowed our students to see that a book they have all engaged with was in fact written by a real person – if he can do it, maybe they will too!”

Felpham Community College hosted their hotly anticipated annual Charity Talent Show on Tuesday 10^th March.

Auditions for the show took place at the beginning of this term, and then the acts who made it through to the live shows had 6 weeks to practice.

Students from years 7 right the way through to year 13 were chosen for the event, covering a wide range of talents – singers, dancers, musicians, gymnasts and even comedy. The FCC fabulous Sixth Form Student Leadership Team were comperes for the evening, and sixth form students ran the stage, sound, photography and refreshment / ticket / programme sales. They also mentored students in the run up to the event to help them prepare.

There were over 400 tickets sold over the afternoon and evening show, with enthusiastic audiences supporting all the acts and also voting for their audience choice award.

Mr Summers, Assistant Headteacher, commented:
“I was lucky to sit on the judging panel for the event and it was great to see all the performers giving it their all. You could really see how they have improved since the auditions back at the beginning of term. Both shows had brilliant atmospheres and it was great to see everyone enjoying themselves – performers as well as the audiences! The event raised over £1500 for charity which is a fantastic achievement. All the acts were amazing and deserve a huge well done, and also a well done to the students who supported the event by helping to run it – and to everyone for supporting us and buying tickets – thank you!

Felpham Community College celebrated World Book Day on Thursday 5^th March by running events for both students and staff.

Over 60 students from years 8 and 9 took part in a creative writing workshop, with FCC’s very own published author, Mr Bulpett. He shared tips and tricks to help improve creative writing with students, who then created their own short stories.

Mr Bulpett, Key Stage 5 Lead for English at Felpham, is the published author of books including The Hidden Horizons Trilogy: The Art of Hiding, Blood Ties and White Lies and The Lost Sister.

Across departments, staff were invited to dress up as their favourite book character. Students spent the day guessing who was who, and all students and staff had the opportunity to vote for their favourite.

The final event in the FCC calendar for World Book Day is planned for the 18^th March. Year 7 students will be taking part in an interactive workshop with Anthony McGowan, Carnegie Medal winning author. Students have been reading his book ‘I am the Minotaur’ this academic year.   Ms Kelly, Deputy Headteacher, commented: “In a world full of uncertainty, books remain a central source of escapism, and a gateway to bigger, brighter futures.  Reading just 10 minutes a day increases vocabulary, boosts cognitive development and helps us to focus.  Add to that to positive impact on our wellbeing and why wouldn’t you? Go on, celebrate with us and pick up a book”.

On Friday 27^th February, a small group of Felpham Community College Student Council Representatives, attended Oakland Court Residential Care Home in Felpham. They took part in an art and craft workshop, making cardboard daffodils, to celebrate St David’s Day.

Students volunteered for the event, to work with residents to support them with the crafting and also to chat about student life at FCC.

The event was held to celebrate St David’s Day which was on the 1^st March. St David is the Patron Saint of Wales.

Mr Summers, Assistant Headteacher at Felpham, commented:
“It was an ideal opportunity for our students to be reminded that charity work is not just about fundraising, and that time is just as precious and important to a lot of people. The residents commented how lovely it was to have our students visit them. We did it at Christmas and it now looks likely that it will be a regularly termly event.

Our students who attended were brilliant, so helpful with the making the crafts and supportive, and really enthusiastic with the conversations! It was also really nice to have so many of our Council Reps volunteer to go, we have had to promise some that they can go next time as we had too many put themselves forward for the activity. Thank you to Oakland Court for inviting us in”.