On Tuesday 22nd August 2017, our very own John Darcy, Area Coordinator for the Highlands, (accompanied by Buddy) had the pleasure of visiting Strathpeffer Primary School to deliver The NSPCC Schools Service ‘Speak out. Stay safe’ programme alongside one of Scotland’s most celebrated children’s authors Mairi Hedderwick.
Mairi Hedd
The day was a great success made by John and Mairi with the help and support of NSPCC media team and Highland Local Authority partners – not to forget the pupils and staff of Strathpeffer Primary School! , It was a great delight to Mairi that her books about Katie Morag were already a huge hit in Strathpeffer Primary with many children bringing in their own Katie Morag books for Mairi to sign.
Mairi was also taken aback when she asked “What do you think my job is?” and a Primary 1 answered; “You are an author and an illustrator!” – a very clever and humbling response from such a young age.
erwick, is best known for her series of children’s picture books, Katie Morag – set on the Isle of Struay. The 74-year-old author’s books have successfully been adapted into TV series which is broadcast on BBC’s CBeebies channel, also winning her two children’s BAFTAs.
When visiting a school with our Speak Out Stay Safe Programme, a normal day would consist of a Primary 1-3 assembly lasting for 20 minutes, then onto a 30 minute assembly for P4-7 and finally ending the day with a 60 minute workshop with P6&7 only.
John spoke highly of the entire visit and praised Hedderwick, who spent the full day at the school, engaging with the children and staff .
The young assembly went really well with the children fully engaged with great answers all round. Mairi told an enthralled Primary 1-3 audience a Katy Morag story about her making a big mistake and how important it was to tell a trusted her worry about this mistake so she could get help. We even had a Primary 1 pupil saying he would tell his cat and his dog all his worries, after listening to Mairi.”
In the afternoon, STV Grampian turned up to the school to interview Mairi and film the P4-7 assembly which was received with great excitement from the pupils;
The assembly went so well with the children taking the house down on the last statement when they all shouted “We all have the right to speak out and stay safe!!”
To end the day on a high, the children of Strathpeffer and Head Teacher Carolyn Ritchie were thrilled that Mairi spent the time to sit and sign each pupil’s ‘Katy Morag’ book, whilst enjoying a coffee and cake alongside John and the staff (always a nice treat when visiting a school!).
Finally, a massive credit to John who clearly impressed both Carolyn and Mairi with the author exclaiming she “thought the assemblies were wonderful and that it would be a day she would never forget!”.
It was definitely a positive day all round for everyone involved, from speaking to John its great to hear how much the children enjoyed their visit from the NSPCC (especially alongside a famous author!) and what they took from our Speak Out Stay Safe Programme.
NSPCC Scotland 