At St Winnow, we are passionate about reading!
Mrs Southey
Headteacher and Class 2 Teacher
(Mrs Southey is currently on maternity leave)
As a child I found reading a real challenge, I was not the best reader in the class and when I was asked to read I would try every tactic to get out of doing it. When I started teaching this is one feeling I wanted to make sure that no child in my class felt, I wanted to make sure they gained the real passion for reading that I never had as a child. As I have grown up I have found out the real importance of reading and of how it can make a difference to your imagination. I love to read to the children in my schools now, and I feel there are so many wonderful books out there. My favourite books to read are the classic Roald Dahl as there are so many wonderful collections that he has written and children are able to become completely engrossed in the books he writes. I am also a massive fan of David Walliams, especially ‘The World’s Worst Children’.
Mrs Drew
Class 1 Teacher
I’ve always enjoyed reading and getting lost in a good book. Roald Dahl has been a favourite author of mine since one of my teachers read the book ‘The Witches’ to our class when I was in primary school. Roald Dahl uses such amazing vocabulary to describe the characters and really brings them to life in his books, the way he describes the disgusting, ugly witches is so funny. I found the bravery of the little boy so inspiring as he overcame his fears and saved his friends from the witches. Roald Dahl has written so many wonderful books and I have enjoyed sharing some of them with my class.
Miss Munro
Class 1 Teaching Assistant
As a child I loved to read The Chronicles of Narnia, especially The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Nowadays, I spend my time reading Tom Fletcher or David Walliams books to my daughter, as they engage both us of with their adventurous and hilarious story lines, whilst also having brilliant illustrations!
Mrs Fox
Class 1 Teaching Aid
Mrs Taylor
Class 2 Teacher
I simply love to read! I love to read funny books, fantasy books, fairy tales, autobiographies, wild books, anything I can get completely lost in! I read a variety of books with my son and particularly enjoyed rereading children's classics like The Famous Five or The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton. My favourite author at the moment is Katya Balen, she has written some brilliant children's literature including a fantastic book called October, October. Her words are scrambled all over the page and her writing is inspiring!
Mrs Bayes
Class 2 Teaching Assistant
My favourite book is ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee. I love this book because I read it when I was a young teenager and it explored the themes of racial prejudice and injustices within society. I enjoy all types of genres of books but courtroom dramas, like this one, are great to read!
Miss Prisk
Class 3 Teacher
Miss Walters
Class 3 Teaching Assistant
Milly Molly Mandy stories are set in the 1920s-1930s and follow a little girl and her adventures as a young child. I enjoy reading these stories (especially to my three children) as it surrounds the character's view on a historic village life where strong interactions with people, animals and nature are a huge part of her adventures. As these stories are gentle but interesting, it makes me reflect on how my great grandparents' life may have differed to mine today. I enjoy reading historical fiction, especially those books set around the wars, as it is still a very poignant and emotive time from history, even today.
Miss Ellis
Class 3 Teaching Assistant
I love how reading can make you feel immersed in the setting of whatever you're reading. I also like listening to music while I'm reading; several albums for me have become soundtracks for particular books. My favourite book is "Shantaram" by Gregory David Roberts. A favourite to read to my children when they were younger was always "The Bedtime Bear" by Ian Whybrow.
Mrs Joseph
Class 4 Teacher / Acting Head of School
I have always loved reading and have learned so much from simply picking up a book. Reading allows you to escape from reality and into an imaginary world that can excite, terrify, calm and humour you. I absolutely adore the Harry Potter series of books and have read them several times. I really enjoy fantasy fiction like the Lord of the Rings and His Dark Materials trilogies, as well as historical fiction, particularly around the Tudor period. The Hunger Games series of books are another favourite and stories like War Horse and The Kite Runner are emotionally a challenge but a brilliant read! When I was younger, I loved Roald Dahl books - my favourite was Matilda! I love reading at bedtime as it helps me unwind after a busy day. It is a very special treat to read on the sofa during the day or on the beach on a sunny day!
Miss Whittaker
Class 4 Higher Level Teaching Assistant
I am an animal lover and I particularly enjoy reading books by James Herriot which describe his life as a vet. I also enjoy reading crime and mystery fiction by authors such as Agatha Christie as they always keep me guessing right to the end! One of my other favourite authors is Daphne Du Maurier - I enjoy reading her books because many of them are based in Cornwall.
Miss Libby
Class 4 Teaching Assistant
From a very young age, I have always been an avid reader. I remember as a child, reading books like Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights and being transported to a different place and time. I think it was these books that started my love of history which I’m still fascinated by today.
Books have helped me through many hard times as they have the ability to allow your mind to wander somewhere new and escape. I read anything and everything, fact and fiction as often as I can.
I’m so happy now that my daughter has also developed a huge love for reading…I can’t keep up with all the books she goes through!
Mrs Cudlipp
School Secretary
My favourite books are the Harry Potter books written by JK Rowling, I have read them lots of times! I have always loved reading and find it a good way to relax after a busy day. I really like reading romantic fiction and books based around historic events such as WW1 and WW2, they offer a glimpse into life as it was then which I find very interesting as it is so different to how we live now.
Mrs Jemma Shields
SENDco
I have always had a love of reading since I was a child. I still find it amazing how a book can take you to another land or time without you leaving the room, just by the power of your imagination! These days I enjoy reading with my children at home as well as with children at school. One of my favourite series of books has always been the Elmer stories. I think that the stories are a great example in showing how important it is to appreciate, celebrate and consider everyone's differences and abilities. Something which I always encourage others to do and is something I feel passionate about in my role as SENDCO.
If you would like to visit one of our schools we would love to show you round. You can contact the school direct or email win.head@stbarnabasmat.com or call 01208 872 665