Author Visit to TRS

On Wednesday, 15^th May, award winning author Chris Bradford visited The Ravensbourne School and gave two performances to the Year 7s and 8s.

Some of the Year 7 pupils wrote about their experiences.  Below is a selection of their views:

Krichelle Year 7

On 15^th May 2013, Chris visited our school and talked to us about his new book ‘The Bodyguard’ and his series ‘Young Samurai’.  It was an interactive experience for all of us.  Some pupils even got to act out scenes from the book; they were awarded with a sticker and a poster of his new book ‘The Bodyguard’.

I personally enjoyed every second of it!  We were well entertained.  There were even water guns!  It was truly a great time!  We were shown videos related to his new books.  We had a wonderful time.

Becky Year 7

Today seemed like just an ordinary day at school but GUESS WHAT!  In period 3 and 4 Chris Bradford came into my school to explain his life being an author and a trained bodyguard.  I walked into the sports hall and I saw Chris standing there setting up his equipment.  I felt so lucky because I got to meet him.

All of a sudden Chris Bradford turned on the slide show and BANG! ... He showed us how to protect someone from a bullet.  I jumped out of my skin with the loud and breath taking sound. 

At the end of this event we got to go up and buy a book, otherwise you could get a poster and he signed it with your name.  Thank you Chris Bradford for a great 100 minutes and for coming to my school to share your skills with us.

Peppe Year 7

When everyone had entered the hall a Librarian was reading from a sheet of paper telling us about Chris Bradford when suddenly gun shots went off.  The Librarian was rushed out by Chris.  He then introduced himself and asked for two volunteers to help him act out a scene from his book.  He pulled out a plastic gun, and then revealed that it was a water pistol by squirting water over everyone.  He then showed us some video clips and carried out a demonstration (in which I was a volunteer).

Overall I think he was very energetic and devoted.  I enjoyed it and thought it was amazing.

Louise Year 7

Chris Bradford was very energetic and lively.  He taught us how to be a bodyguard and also what it would be like if our school was a samurai school.   I enjoyed that part because he didn’t just tell us what the book was about; he made us feel like we were in the book.

Jada Year 7

At the event Chris Bradford talked to us about his latest book and showed us how to be a bodyguard.  He also showed us videos and websites.  He engaged with the audience by using volunteers to create scenes and role-play parts of his book.  He wasn’t boring because he connected with our age group and made the language understandable.

I think he was constructive with his ideas and made us feel like bodyguards and therefore like the character.  I personally enjoyed it and got a book signed at the end.  I am looking forward to reading ‘The Bodyguard’ and finding more of his books.

Ronnie Year 7

Chris Bradford likes to experience what he writes about in his books to make them more effective; also this gives him inspiration for his writing.  When writing his book “The Bodyguard”, he trained to be a bodyguard, and this is what he talked to us about.

At the start of the event, a Librarian introduced Chris.  The thing that was outstanding was that no one expected him to grab the Librarian when the sound of bullets came on in the background!  He looked so serious because he screamed and ran with the Librarian outside the hall.  Chris Bradford enacted scenes from the book with volunteers from the audience.  Near the end he revealed something that we didn’t realize.  He had been secretly filming us with a camera inside a fake coke can [he showed us he had deleted the film].  He ended the performance by letting students buy or reserve books which he would sign or sign a poster of his books.

I personally enjoyed the first part when he ran out of the hall and surprised everyone.  He did something that we did not expect.

James Year 7

On the 15^th May 2013 Chris Bradford came into our school, he is the author of the Young Samurai and Bodyguard series.  When we saw him he talked about his books and what inspired him to write them.  He said that he writes the types of books he’d want to read, books filled with relentless action, believable characters and plots that twist and turn through the pages.  Chris’s books are really inspirational for people who are adventurous.

I enjoyed the first part of his performance when he was acting all serious with his shades and when he ran out of the hall with the Librarian and also the gun shots were really cool.

Jake Year 7

Chris Bradford is a very engaging man with lots of humour.  Hopefully Chris can come back to this school again!

Jessica Year 7

Wow! What a wonderful writer.  I enjoyed everything about the presentation.  Chris left me and most of us in giggles.