Gareth P. Jones delights the OB
On Tuesday, we were thrilled to welcome the talented children’s author Gareth P. Jones to Notting Hill School, where he spent a magical morning with our Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 pupils. Gareth, known for his books The Dragon Detective Agency, Fairy Tales for the Fearless, and Solve Your Own Mystery, captivated our young readers with his lively storytelling, musical talents, and endless creativity. The children were spellbound as Gareth brought his characters to life with his engaging voice and infectious energy.
Throughout the session, Gareth encouraged the children to let their imaginations soar, reminding them, “Don’t be afraid to let your thoughts run wild!” The students were left giggling and wide-eyed as they listened and sung along, inspired to create their own stories and adventures.
We’re so grateful for the opportunity to host such a joyful event, and the children are still buzzing with excitement, carrying Gareth’s message that stories are everywhere, just waiting to be discovered. I can see his books flying out of the library going forwards!
If you would like to order a copy of any of Gareth’s books, please follow the link below.
https://uk.bookshop.org/search?keywords=Gareth+P+Jones
Miss Chute
Read More
Ben Martynoga visits NHP and Thomas Jones Primary School
NHP and one of our partner schools, Thomas Jones Primary School, were delighted to have a visit from the hugely knowledgeable and inspiring author, Ben Martynoga. Ben has the wonderful ability to create stories out of biological research, allowing children to explore and enter into a world that might otherwise remain unknown. Ben has just released his fourth book in his ‘Explodapedia’ series called ‘Rewild’.
As NHP goes into Climate Week, Ben captivated the children’s attention with interesting thoughts about the human vs nature relationship that we have developed. He talked about scientists exploring the idea of bringing back the woolly mammoth to save the ice caps, the dream of making the earth 50% wild, and the idea of looking after our ‘keystone’ animals such as beavers and wolves.
Ben taught the children about ten steps that we can all take to make this dream a reality from throwing seed bombs in forgotten places, to planting a tree and thinking about the actions we take: and many more!
World Book Day 2024
A glorious World Book Day was had on Thursday at NHP. The day was filled with reading and writing activities across the school, inspired by the array of wonderful animal-themed books we have in the library. From political anthropomorphism in George Orwell’s Animal Farm and NoViolet Bulawayo’s Glory, to unlikely friendships in Julia Donaldson’s The Snail and the Whale, pupils explored, created, and enjoyed all sorts of exciting literature. 6OS started our day on the right note with an assembly about the magic and power of reading. Throughout the day, pupils shared literary video messages across all buildings: re-enactments, rhymes, quizzes and recommendations were shared between our youngest and oldest pupils. Competitive spirits were ignited over lunch with a book-themed quiz which delighted all. Teachers carefully wove the magic of reading into their lessons and celebrated the spell of reading that all have fallen under at NHP.
NHP was also delighted to welcome the much-loved author, Helen Peters. Helen engaged with all the children, sharing stories from her beloved books and introducing some exciting new ones. Helen thrilled the OB children with tales of life on the farm, surrounded by animals. She discussed the inspiration behind each of her Jasmine Green stories, weaving in real-life anecdotes and captivating images. We met the real pig, sheep, otter and many more, all of whom you can find in her wonderful animal series.
The JCB group also delved into farm life. Helen’s father, a brilliant farmer who couldn’t brew a cup of tea, took centre stage. Her brother, now a farmer himself, even “farmed” the house using his toy tractor, inspiring ideas for The Secret Hen House. She also revealed that it took many marvellous mistakes and lots of persistence and perseverance to write this book (12 years in fact!).
A mysterious and intriguing tale transported the PGB children back to World War II. They solved clues and learned about an extraordinary woman with a passion for fast cars who was the inspiration for her book Friends and Traitors. The children hung on to her every word, posing excellent questions. Helen was impressed by their focus and creativity. She also marvelled at the “kaleidoscope of creatures” she encountered. A truly wonderful author visit that we hope will inspire the authors of tomorrow.
Thank you to Susie Comish and the PA volunteers who decorated the JCB and PGB, and to NHP’s teachers who worked so hard to bring World Book Day to life.
Read MoreTigertones visit NHP!
All the way from Princeton University, USA, the Tigertones all male a cappella group visited NHP for the fourth time on Friday morning. What a treat they had in store for the whole school! Singing beautiful arrangements, including songs by The Beatles, Harry Connick Jr, Van Morrison and Leonard Cohen, the ensemble had the children and staff enthralled from first note to last. Self-effacing, witty, soulful yet impeccably well-prepared, the Tigertones are an inspiration to us all. Their performance yet again reiterated for me the importance of singing and how much happiness it brings to performer and listener alike. A special mention must go to Oi Leng, mother of Lena (Year 6) and Mika (Year 3) a Princeton alumna, who helped arrange this unforgettable event!
Read MoreMark Walden Visits Year 4
We kicked off the week on a high note as our Year 4 children were treated to an inspiring author talk. NHP was thrilled to welcome Mark Walden, a highly recommended author from the library network. Mark’s passion for igniting the love for reading in children, especially in boys aged nine and above, was evident in his engaging session.
Mark didn’t rely on props or PowerPoint presentations; instead, he skillfully transported the children into the captivating world of H.I.V.E with his words alone. His enthusiasm was contagious, and he had everyone on the edge of their seats, brimming with questions and imaginative ideas. The discussion he facilitated was brilliant as the students shared their favourite villains, dissecting why they thought these characters were villains in the first place.
But the real magic happened when Mark read a passage from the first book of the H.I.V.E series. The room was filled with laughter, but more impressively, every child was hanging on to every word, absorbed in the tale. Mark also generously shared his insights into his writing process, his sources of inspiration, and offered a glimpse into some of his other literary works, such as Earthfall. Our Year 4 children had the opportunity to ask some fantastic questions, making the session even more enriching.
The author talk with Mark Walden was a great experience for Year 4, and it reinforced the power of storytelling and the joy of reading. We’re excited to see how this inspiring encounter will spark their imaginations and passion for books going forward.
Read MoreTop Journalist Visits NHP
In heart-warming and inspiring assemblies this week, all the children were treated to a captivating talk by Benji Hall who shared his extraordinary story of resilience and determination after a life-changing accident.
Benji took the children on a journey through his remarkable career as a journalist, where he documented some of his experiences: from providing coverage of the Royal Wedding, to travelling through rivers in darkness to places people haven’t been before, to find news to report!
It was his personal story of resilience and fortitude that truly left a lasting impression on the children. Benji’s life took an unexpected turn when he was involved in a terrible accident during his time in a war-torn region.
What made Benji’s talk truly inspirational was not the tragedy itself, but how he responded to it. He shared his journey of overcoming despair and self-doubt, undergoing extensive rehabilitation, and adapting to a new way of life. His message was clear: life may throw unexpected challenges our way, but it is our response to these challenges that defines us.
Benji’s resilience and determination were contagious, and the children were inspired by his story. He emphasised the importance of having a positive attitude, setting goals, and never giving up on your dreams, no matter the obstacles that may come your way.
As Benji concluded his assemblies, he left the children with a sense of empowerment, encouraging them to believe in their own potential and the ability to overcome any hurdles that life might present. His powerful message of resilience and optimism resonated deeply with all, leaving the children (and staff) inspired and ready to face the challenges that lie ahead. Thank you, Benji!
Read More
Kalpana Fitzpatrick Visits Year 2
The Year 2 pupils were delighted to have the author and money expert Kalpana Fitzpatrick visit NHP to share…
Read More