The Write Path

Preparations ongoing

2009-08-04T07:30:00.002+01:00

This years event is indeed going to be a blast I think - 5 stories doing the rounds each day, 1 comic and also a video story possibly. Some fantastic authors have signed up this year - Robert Muchamore, Mark Robson and Melvin Burgess to name but a few. Please check out the ning we have set up for further details
www.writepath.ning.com

I can't wait until October it's going to be such fun!

Write Path 2009!

2009-04-17T21:55:00.003+01:00

I have received some excellent news during the Easter holidays - the Write Path has been shortlisted for a Times Educational Supplement Schools Award in the Outstanding Literacy Initative category! There will be an awards ceremony in June when the winners will be announced but I am so pleased and proud to have even made it onto the shortlist. I am starting to think about this years event now - it will be a week long celebration this year as so many schools/libraries want to be involved. I think I will have to draw the line at 25 overseas schools and 25 British schools/libraries. I will of course contact all of last years entrants but if you were not involved and want to be please contact me on the Write Path email:
writepath2008@yahoo.co.uk

So looking forward to it - had such fun last October!

The winner!!

2008-11-13T10:52:00.003Z

All the voting has now been completed and one clear winner has emerged. Every school was voted for however, we no 'nil point' scenarios and the quality of writing was fantastic across the board. I know my students enjoyed the day so very much and this seems to be true of all the participants so I'm very happy about that. Here's to next year!!!!!!!!

Shame I can't attach a drum roll to this..............................guess you all want to know who won.....................should I tell you?.......................maybe........................"Ladies and Gentlemen the winner of this years Wicked Writers award is .............................

The American International School, Saigon!!! "

Congratulations!!!
I will be sending your medals etc. out to you as soon as I can. Mr McDonald you must be a very proud man! But please do praise all the students that took part in other schools and say thank you and well done once more from me.

Beverley Humphrey

Voting

2008-11-11T11:36:00.002Z

Voting is nearly finished now - just a few more to come in then I will be collating them tomorrow. At the moment nothing is final - I have an idea who might win but it's not conclusive! The medals that the students in the winning school will receive are here and they are lovely, I hope they will be appreciated. The trophy has also been received - my DT department are going to tweak it a lttle for me and the winning schools name will be engraved on it but I'm hoping everything will be sent out before Christmas. Of course the library in the top school will also be sent a signed book from each of our authors - the trophy will need to be returned next year but not the books of course!

We are re modelling the website for next year so I will make sure everyone is kept informed - I hope this years participants will want to do so next year also and we are going to make it possible to express interest via the website.

Watch this space for results!!

Stories online

2008-10-21T20:13:00.002+01:00

The completed stories went online last night after a certain amount of blood sweat and tears to get them edited and finished - I must thank Nikki and Craig who helped me so much, beyond the call of duty and I owe them one! Our school made the front page of our local newspaper which was wonderful and I've been recieving articles from colleagues all over the place. There's a lovely video of students in Louisiana which brought tears to my eyes I was so proud to see their students obviously having a great time with the stories. The finished stories are fantastic and I can't wait to see who will win the Wicked Writers trophy - but then with the calibre of our students we're all in 'winning' schools in my opinion! Good luck everyone.

11a.m. 7th October

2008-10-07T11:00:00.002+01:00

The stories have just arrived 'home'!! Thanks to all the students and Margaret at Lord Lawson at ending in such style - now it's up to my friendly English teachers to pull them all together - an unenviable task!

Thank you so much for taking part with such enthusiasm and skill everyone - I feel very lucky to have 'met' such wonderful practitioners and pupils and I am so looking forward to building on the links we have forged.

Here's to next year - bigger and better of course!!!

Bev
xx

8.59a.m. 7th October

2008-10-07T08:58:00.001+01:00

Our tall tales are now at their second to last resting place with Lord Lawson - have fun with them and thank you so much for taking part! I have seen several of the students from here that were involved this morning and they are still full of the experience which is wonderful.

Bev

6.40a.m. 7th October

2008-10-07T06:37:00.002+01:00

Got up feeling shattered but I have now read an article that has already gone to print in Louisiana with an accompanying comment from a parent and am feeling better! Karen and Tarn have sent their stories on - thank you! - and our unique tales have one more stop to make at Lord Lawson School, Gateshead before coming back to the Poly for finishing off by my long suffering colleagues in the English Department. Karen's students loved the experience and Tarn's want to do it all again next year.

Bev

1.45a.m.

2008-10-07T01:42:00.002+01:00

Oh what a wonderful video call I've just have! The stories are safely in Beijing with my good friend Karen and I've had a lovely chat with her students and her Head of English and I'm sure they are going to do us proud! I apologise for subjecting them to the sight of my pjs - I have only just realised I have my Little Miss Naughty ones on! Seeing my dear friend as if she's just in the next room is without a doubt one of the high points of the event for me and her pupils are wonderfully polite young people - as are all the students we've worked with. I'm going to try and get a few hours sleep now - back at work in 5 and a half hours, groan but I wish Harrow School and the American International School in Saigon good luck and have fun!!

Bev

12.10a.m.

2008-10-07T00:07:00.003+01:00

Witching hour here in London and I'm wide awake - well awake anyway! Sitting going through our stories preparatory to sending them to Karen in Beijing in a few hours. I'm absolutley amazed at the quality of the writing, we have some very talented students around the world. Thanks to our Louisiana contingent for their contributions: Lee Junior High, Lexington and J.S. Clark Magnet School - you rock! I'm so sorry wasn't awake to see your paragraphs come in but I'm afraid that few hours sleep was very much needed. Every year I run an overnight fundraiser for my boys - those of you in Louisiana may have heard of it! - and in the middle of the night every year one of my boys always asks 'so Miss what's next years theme?' and without fail I answer 'No I'm never doing this again!' but they will tell you that within a few days I've forgotten and am starting to plan for the following year. I suspect it will be the same with the Write Path - at this minute I'm thinking 'One off, without a doubt' but well.............maybe next year! Such a positive fun event for the pupils just has to be worth repeating and what highs I've had today!

Bev

18.56p.m.

2008-10-06T18:56:00.003+01:00

After a somewhat prolonged stay in New York ( perfectionists they are!!) our stories are now with Lee Junior High in Louisiana and enjoying the heat there I hope! I have been speaking to one of their students (hi Daniel!) and am pleased to report that the excitement continues even in the laid back deep South. At home now on my settee but still very excited and enjoying the project immensely.

Bev

16.30

2008-10-06T16:29:00.002+01:00

My office is quiet for the first time today! The video link with New York was wonderful and their students are busily working on the stories right now so I have a few minutes peace to reflect on what has been a fantastic day so far. I was so very very proud of our boys and I'm so impressed with the lovely students we've had the good fortune to work with so far. This evening the journey continues to three locations in Louisiana, Beijing and Saigon and then in the morning a re scheduled stop at Lord Lawson School. Phew!

So many highlights so far - too many to mention but loving all the photos I'v been sent and one student of ours named Shobi will forever now be known as 'Shobi One Kenobi' - thanks Mr Kornicker!!lol

Bev

3.36p.m.

2008-10-06T15:36:00.002+01:00

My boys are working frantically now having been ably set up for it by Oasis Academy - it was lovely to hear you guys - great job!! Linking with New York very soon .....no pressure of course!!

Bev

13.53p.m.

2008-10-06T13:53:00.002+01:00

Stories just arriving in Enfield now - my boys champing at the bit!! Getting just a tad stressed now - having a calming cup of tea! Video facility for link with New York set up though - will just be a bit later than first expected. Apparently the students from Newcastle have thoroughly enjoyed themselves which is lovely news. Our students are determined to be the best - competitive males all! As long as they have a good time thats all that matters.

Bev

12.41p.m.

2008-10-06T12:38:00.002+01:00

Ok running a bit late now - about half an hour but it's fine. With the first one of any event there's always teething problems. And after all - 15 schools there were bound to be delays! I hope the stories have been recieved by Walbottle Campus in Newcastle now after having been worked on by Warbottle School. I have just set up Skype so hopefully my boys will be able to talk to students in New York this afternoon. The day is just flying by.

Bev

11.25a.m.

2008-10-06T11:26:00.002+01:00

Apparently the local press came in to see Hadleigh High - hope they shot your best side Craig! It was lovely to talk to your girls - hi Jazmin and Emily. After a few technical problems the stories are now with the pupils at Warblington School and I hope they are busy continuing the dramas! I still have hair left at the moment but it's a close thing.

10.10a.m.

2008-10-06T10:10:00.002+01:00

One of the students in Bankok was having such fun they wanted to know if we could do this again next week............sadly I don't think my nerves would stand it! I have received some wonderful photos from Jakarta - it's obvious from them that they all had a wonderful time and it's lovely for me to see them on the phone to me this morning. I have also just received best wishes from a colleague in Qatar that I wanted to pass on - thank you Nerine.

Bev

9.32

2008-10-06T09:31:00.002+01:00

Well done Stockport! wonderful continuations. Apparently there's an electrical storm in Bankok right now but I'm sure the pupils aren't letting it distract them. I know their wonderful librarian Sarah Love is with them all the way - hope you're all having great fun - I am!

Bev

8.49a.m.

2008-10-06T08:49:00.002+01:00

Sunny Stockpost now. Slight technical hitch with MSN but not a problem - 'best laid plans of mice and men' etc. I've had a quick look at the paragraphs written by the Jakarta students - woah what a high standard they've set! Talented pupils obviously well done! Can't wait to see how the stories continue......hope Nikki and her gang are enjoying writing their contributions.

Bev

7.45a.m.

2008-10-06T07:44:00.002+01:00

Happy International School Libraries Day everyone!!! Our stories are now with Stefany Brown and her students in Jakarta. I spoke to them on the phone at 7a.m. and they sound much more awake than I am. My heart went out to one poor student who has come to school unwell just to take part in today - I know how they feel as I have a streaming cold but it is worth it. Stefany says they are going great guns with their writing at this minute - what a wonderful start to the day!

Bev

2008-10-05T16:33:00.003+01:00

I am feeling a real mixture of anticipation and almost dread right now - keep getting the feeling that I've forgotten some major detail but I'm sure it's all going to go well. Just seen two articles published on the net:

http://liswire.com/node/210

http://www.iasl-online.org/events/islm/2008a.htm

and so looking forward to the fun our students will have with the event. If I wasn't going to be ringing Karen in Beijing at 2a.m. on Tuesday morning I wouldn't be happy - only for you mate!!! If I forget to say this tomorrow, thanks so much for your support everyone - especially my gang - you know who you are thanks guys!

See y'all tomorrow - it's going to be a blast!

Bev

2008-10-04T18:07:00.002+01:00

Saturday - two days to go. Emails coming in from all over the world and it's such fun opening them up! My boys were really excited yesterday and so looking forward to writing their story paragraphs and reading everyone elses. They like the thought of contacting their peers in other schools too and are preparing their favourite books to share (or their favourite series as one boy said he couldn't possibly choose just one!). It's going to be a very busy week as on Thurs/Frid I am presenting at the Renaisssance Learning conference so not quite sure when I'll sleep but ..........who needs it! I have prepared International School Libraries Day bookmarks to give to the students who take Accelerated Reader quizzes on Monday and put up posters so the LRC is looking lovely.

Not long now!

2008-10-03T12:22:00.002+01:00

Well the big day is only 3 days away - today is the last working day before and I'm feeling rather nervous and very very excited!! It is going to be such a fun event for the students and for the librarians I hope and the first time we have celebrated International School Libraries Day in this way. I hope everyone involved has a nice relaxing weekend and is ready for a good time!

Bev Humphrey