Monday October 14th 2024

Dear Diary,

There was so much love at Ashley Manor Prep School today. Firstly, seeing so many children clutching a copy of WARNING: Magic Can Be Dangerous! when they filed into the morning assembly really warmed my heart. (Kelly had clearly got the word out that I was visiting!) And hearing that some of those children had already started AND finished reading the book was music to my ears. The fact that they’d also ENJOYED it cranked the volume up to that of a full-blown orchestra! Everyone — staff and pupils alike — was so kind. Well, we did have a couple of grumpy grandma’s and monsters galore, if I’m honest… but fortunately, they were just in the stories the children crafted! As always, the day started off with an assembly and then continued with workshops throughout the day. As has recently become the new norm, Reception and KS1 were also included in the activity sessions — they even had their very own assembly in the afternoon! I love adapting my workshops for the younger pupils, and seeing them get just as stuck into all the activities as the older ones. Every single pupil was a delight to work with. It’s just a shame the sessions all seemed to end so abruptly and couldn’t go on for longer. The school is a haven for talented writers, illustrators, and imaginators, and I ended up handing lots of certificates out. (I wish I could have given one to everyone, as there were so many stories and characters that really shone!) And anyone who says school dinners are disgusting clearly hasn’t had one at Ashley Manor. My chicken, rice, and veg was delicious. And it was a real treat to be catered for at lunchtime. (Part of that treat was seeing the Reception pupils and dinner staff interacting with adoration for one another in the dining hall.) Kelly and all the staff made it such an enjoyable day. They looked after me so wonderfully from the moment I was met in the car park to the moment I (begrudgingly) left. The pupils were amazing, too. They were full of excitement, dedicated to giving the activities their all, and had wonderful temperaments. And the two wonderful Year 6 girls who helped me out with free stickers and bookmarks, and selling signed copies, at the end of the day were superstars. I’m just sorry that I didn’t catch their names. In fact, Ashley Manor Prep School is FULL of superstar pupils and staff!!!