Cranford Review 2013

5748-071-2
80712
College
First story has helped all these young writers to discover their writing voice,
and so doing has helped them discover themselves.
michael morpurgo, author of war Horse
edited and introduced by Ross Raisin
every young person deserves the benefit of working with them.
dited and introduced by Ross Raisin
“When I was asked to work and help out with First Story, I simply couldn’t refuse. I
jumped at the chance to be able to be a part of this fantastic initiative that not only
encourages the creativity of young minds, but it also acts as an outlet for their wise
and witty use of the written word. It has been a brilliant opportunity to observe just
how passionate young people are about reading and writing, and how they have so
much to say and share”.
Sahrish Shaikh
The Trouble With Time
can give it.
Zadie smith, author of white Teeth and On Beauty
we all have a voice. some never discover it. we all have stories to tell.
some never tell them.
First story has helped all these young writers to discover their writing voice,
and in so doing has helped them discover themselves.
michael morpurgo, author of war Horse
The only problem with First story is that they’re not everywhere – yet.
every young person deserves the benefit of working with them.
dave eggers, author of a Heartbreaking work of staggering
Genius and founder of 826 national First story is a very exciting idea. Having been a teacher myself, I know
how writing – real writing, not the artificial exercises produced for tests
and examinations – can liberate and strengthen young people’s sense
of themselves as almost nothing else can.
Philip Pullman, author of His dark materials
First story is an inspiring initiative. Having attended a school with a lot of
Published by First story
talented kids who didn’t always have the opportunity to express that talent,
I know what it would have ISBN meant to 978-0-85748-071-2
us to have real-life writers dropping by
www.firststory.org.uk
and taking our stories seriously. and what an opportunity for writers, too,
to meet some of the most creative and enthusiastic young people in
Cover design by adam Cohen
this country! It’s a joyful project that deserves as much support as we
IsBn: 978-0-85748-071-2
can give it.
Zadie smith, author of white Teeth and On Beauty
we all have a voice. some never discover it. we all have stories to tell.
some never tell them.
The only problem with First story is that they’re not everywhere – yet.
dave eggers, author of a Heartbreaking work of staggering
Genius and founder of 826 national
Published by First story
www.firststory.org.uk
Cover design by adam Cohen
IsBn: 978-0-85748-071-2
9 780857 480712
ISBN 978-0-85748-071-2
9 780857 480712
“Masaru Ibuka said that, “Creativity comes from looking for the unexpected
and stepping outside your own experience.” In my involvement with First
Story I have come to admire and be completely awe struck by our students’
ability to step outside of themselves and create something truly wonderful.
It has been a true pleasure to take part in First Story
Katie Hibbins
tory Group at Cranford Community College
Runaway wednesday an anthology by the First story Group at Cranford Community College
m T w TH F sa su
Runaway
wednesday
On
an anthology by the First story Group
at Cranford Community College
Thursday 20th June 2013 we
held our annual First Story
Open House event where students
from years 8 -12 read extracts from
edited m and T introduced w TH by Ross F Raisin sa su
their anthology entitled “Runaway
Wednesdays”. This is the second year
that Writer in Residence, Ross Rasin
has worked with Cranford students
alongside two members of staff, Katie
Hibbins and Sahrish Shaikh.
As
edited and
in
introduced
previous
by Ross Raisin
years, the quality of
the writing produced by the students
is outstanding with a huge range of
themes and storylines; from horror
and fantasy to love and death, the
inspiration behind their ideas has
clearly arisen from the amazing
writing workshops led Ross.
The First Story initiative has become
an essential part of our school
enrichment programme. Cranford
has always played a huge part in
supporting this charity from its pilot
year over five years ago to today
and we look forward to working
with a new Writer in Residence
in 2013-2014.
When I was 2, my dad bought me a tea set. He watched me bring him a cup of ‘soup’ from down the hallway and drank
it up every time while complimenting his little chef for such delicious soup. Only after seven rounds of soup and a need
to visit the boys’ room did it occur to him that the only place I could access water was the toilet.
At the age of 3 I realised I could win any argument by claiming it was ‘opposite day’.
Then at age 4, the scientist in me began to bloom as I realised I could make baby shampoo change colour by mixing it
with blue bubble bath and hair dye.
At 5, I could count five hundred stars in the night sky even when the fireflies tried to trick me into thinking they were
shooting stars.
Age 6, I asked Mr Wolf what the time was.
At age 7, I started using a pen but could never find its eraser...
When I was 8 my parents brought home a new tv in a big brown box. That box became my hideout for the rest of the
week . Then rubbish collection day came.
At age 9, I swallowed an apple seed and couldn’t sleep that night for thinking that an apple tree would grow inside me.
When I was 10, I wanted to become a doctor and fix people. Then I met a real doctor.
When I was 11, I learned that evil existed in the world when all my pencils broke.
Age 12, I would wait behind a door to scare someone, but they always either took too long or knocked the door into me.
When I was 13, decisions were thrown at me. What did I want to become? A lawyer? Engineer? Pilot?
At 14, my auto-tuned voice when singing into the fan inspired me to want to become a pop star, so I would sing my
heart out in the shower.
Age 15, I learned to be bored.
Age 16, exams kicked in and I mastered the art of being a hermit and isolating my presence from the rest of civilisation.
Now that I’m 17, life decisions are made in the shower. The littlest things make me happy. Boredom is a rare feeling
and my simple pleasures of life are sugar-coated cornflakes and Horrid Henry on a Saturday morning.
12
Fatima Mahmood