Weyfield Primary Academy Welcomes Two Special Visitors

Published on: 24 Jan, 2017
Updated on: 27 Jan, 2017

Weyfield Primary Academy School had two specials visitors on consecutive days – a local councillor and an author.

On Tuesday January 18, members of the school council met Cllr Pauline Searle. The pupils engaged in a lively discussion with her and parent governor Clare Jones over lunch.

Weyfield Primary Academy’s school council (Year 6 representatives) with Cllr Pauline Searle and parent governor Clare Jones.

Borough and county councillor Mrs Searle asked them lots of questions about their roles in the community and the school, that is Woking Road, Guildford.

Mrs Searle said: “I very much enjoyed my visit and especially the opportunity to talk to the school council. The children were wonderful and showed a very keen interest in the difference between my borough and county roles.

“It was also great to meet Mei Lim, the headteacher, and Clare Jones, and to learn more about the traffic problems at school opening times, which we are working together to improve.

“The main thing I take away from my visit was the whole caring ethos of the academy and the many improvements it has achieved over the years. Well done Weyfield!”

Mrs Searle and Mrs Jones were the first guests to join pupils as part of a new school initiative: community lunches. The headteacher, Mei Lim, said: “They are an opportunity for our children to socially engage with members of the wider school community and to learn from their vast and varied life experiences.

“We also hope that our guests will enjoy meeting pupils and seeing the school in action and, of course, eating a school dinner again!

“The school council is currently in the process of writing invitations to our next guests, but if you would like to put yourself forward – or know anyone or any community groups that would be suitable – please do not hesitate to contact us directly. We look forward to welcoming many guests over the coming months.”

The following day the school welcomed published author David Fuller. Children in Years 3 to 6 participated in a number of interactive sessions, role-playing chapters from David’s Alfie Jones book series.

The school said that it places a high value and emphasis on the importance of reading and it was wonderful to see the children enthused by the experience of spending time with an author. Mr Fuller shared his personal story, as well as answering questions about life as a writer, which the children were incredibly inspired and motivated by.

One child commented “David Fuller is a very funny and creative man, with a wild imagination.”

Mr Fuller spent time after school signing copies of his books and interacting with children of all ages.

Headteacher Mei Lim said: “The children loved bringing the books to life with David. His books have such a broad appeal and it was great to see the children enthused about writing and reading in a different way.”

David Fuller added: “I had a really enjoyable day at Weyfield, and the children were brilliant. It was great to see so much enthusiasm for my books. If I can help to inspire just one or two children to pick up a book and read it – be it mine or any other authors – then this is something I take great pleasure from.”