Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, celebrated National Storytelling Week today at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, in Brewood.
In honour of the occasion, Gavin read his favourite childhood stories, Molly Brett’s ‘The Jumble Bears’ and Roald Dahl’s ‘George’s Marvellous Medicine,’ to pupils at the school.
He also asked them about their favourite books, which included We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Giraffes Can’t Dance, Amber the Orange Fairy and The Cat in the Hat.
The book reading was one of a series of book-themed events that St. Mary’s has held over the course of week. The school has organised visits to the local library, hosted a ‘Design a Book Cover’ competition and held a ‘Reading Challenge’.
Students have also been encouraged to study a variety of different authors, with older children writing books/stories for the younger pupils to read.
Gavin said: “I greatly enjoyed being able to take part in National Storytelling Week at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School. I read out Molly Brett’s ‘The Jumble Bears’ and Roald Dahl’s ‘George’s Marvellous Medicine,’ which were two of my favourite stories as a child.
“Books have always played a major role in my life. Indeed, it was through reading that I first began to develop many of the beliefs that I still hold today. Occasions such as National Storytelling Week are a wonderful opportunity to introduce children to this magical world and the excitement, and joy, it has to offer.”
Headteacher Bernadette Corbett added: “We were delighted to welcome Mr Williamson to school to read his favourite childhood story with our children and would like to thank him for sharing his valuable time with us. Celebrating National Storytelling week is a great opportunity to encourage the children’s love of books and to show them how much fun reading can be.
“It was fantastic to see children, staff and the wider community come together to celebrate both the enjoyment of reading and also our recent success as the top performing primary school in Staffordshire, ranking within the top 100 schools nationally.”
A series of School Governors, the Parish Priest (Fr Paul) and several parishioners were also been invited to read to the children during the course of the morning.