An engaging visit from author Tom Percival to the Magnus Church of England Academy in Newark aimed to motivate Year 7 students to pursue their dreams and embrace the power of reading. During the event, Percival shared insights from his journey to becoming a published writer, along with the themes of his latest book, The Wrong Shoes, which emphasizes resilience and overcoming challenges.
Percival expressed his enthusiasm about the visit, stating, “My visit to Magnus C of E Academy has been great and the students have been really engaged.” He elaborated on the core message of The Wrong Shoes, highlighting the importance of not giving up even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. “It’s about trying to make the right choices, whatever challenges you are experiencing,” he noted.
The author encouraged students to follow their own aspirations, whether in music, sports, or writing. “It takes effort, and it is hard to get good at anything,” he said. He discussed the significance of resilience and learning from failures, stressing that these lessons apply to various aspects of life, including personal relationships and hobbies.
Valuing the Impact of Reading
Sarah Harper, Assistant Principal at Magnus, remarked on the honor of hosting Percival. She emphasized the school’s commitment to fostering a love of reading among students. “At Magnus, we value the impact reading can have on our students. It’s so important that they get the opportunity to hear from a published author,” Harper stated. She highlighted how such interactions can inspire creativity and show students the potential paths that reading can open.
Each student in attendance received a signed copy of Percival’s book, a gesture that he praised. “I think it’s a wonderful idea that Magnus gifts a book to every Year 7 student,” he said. He shared his experience working with the National Literacy Trust, advocating for accessibility to books as a fundamental aspect of encouraging young readers.
Students reacted positively to Percival’s visit. Lilly-Mai Portas shared, “I have already started reading the book during lunch and enjoyed listening to the author talk about the story this morning.” Her classmate, Fatima Haymoun, expressed her interest in Percival’s insights, stating, “I enjoyed the talk this morning. I was interested to know what the book meant to Tom and can see that he really cares about his stories.”
Another student, Sumayyah Adesope, conveyed her excitement about owning a book by Percival, saying, “Reading is a hobby of mine, and I have always wanted to own a book by this author.” She emphasized the importance of reading in her academic journey, noting that borrowing books from the library has been beneficial across all subjects.
Encouraging a Lifelong Love for Reading
Heather Jackson, the learning resource centre manager at Magnus, expressed her delight in presenting a book to Year 7 students this Christmas. “Our gift of a book celebrates the importance of reading in a student’s journey. It helps them grow, learn, and flourish,” she stated, reinforcing the school’s vision of developing individuals of good character.
Percival’s visit not only inspired students to embrace resilience but also aimed to instill a lasting appreciation for literature. By sharing his own story and encouraging young minds to explore their dreams, he left a memorable impact on the students at Magnus Church of England Academy.
