In celebration of World Book Day (7 March), Hertfordshire-based St Edmund’s Prep School lined up a special treat for its pupils – bringing pages from the beloved Roald Dahl classic ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ to life. As champions of immersive literacy, teachers and support staff marked the day by transforming the school into scenes from the much-loved story and organised a range of Wonka-inspired educational activities.
After each receiving a golden ticket, students arrived at school for exclusive entry into the magical chocolate factory setting. Classrooms, corridors and even the playground were decorated – taking on the whimsical theme. Throughout the day, pupils made sweet treats, enjoyed a special orienteering hunt to find the golden goose eggs, created working marshmallow pianos, and attempted to find their way out of a chocolate factory escape room. There was even some Oompa Loompa dancing and an assembly led by Willy Wonka himself (Mr Cartwright). Following the Wonka theme, students across the whole school dressed as characters from the book to celebrate the day.
This year, St Edmund’s kick started its World Book Day celebrations early. On the 28th February students were treated to a special guest visit from award-winning author, Tamsyn Murray. The visit provided an exciting and engaging opportunity for students to gain insights into the world of literature and reinforced the importance of fostering a lifelong love of reading.
A best-selling British author, Tamsyn Murray has captivated readers of all ages with her enchanting storytelling. She has numerous successful books to her credit, including the popular ‘My So-Called Afterlife’ series and the heart-warming ‘Instructions for a Second-Hand Heart’. During her visit to the school, Tamsyn met students from all year groups, delivering a series of interactive sessions to each group. She shared her writing journey with students and encouraged them to explore the wonders of different genres in their own work.
Headteacher at St Edmund’s Prep School, Steven Cartwright, said: “World Book Day is a fantastic opportunity to ignite a love of reading and storytelling among pupils of all ages. This year was no exception with the team using ‘pure imagination’ to bring this colourful classic to life through a unique, immersive experience. The day was a delight from start to finish, with pupils and staff embracing the opportunity. This is a World Book Day that we will savour for a long time to come. I’d also like to thank Tamsyn for visiting the school. Her talk inspired pupils and was a great way to kick start our week-long literary celebration.”
World Book Day is celebrated annually on the first Thursday of March. A global event, it aims to promote the joy of reading and celebrate the power of books.
Categories: School News St Edmunds College & Prep School
