Valerie Bloom entertains Chandlings
We were delighted to welcome the writer and performance poet Valerie Bloom to Chandlings as part of a week filled with exciting World Book Day events. Valerie, who received an MBE for her services to poetry, performed her poems to the whole school from Nursery to Year 6.
Valerie's writing is heavily influenced by her Jamaican background, and we were fascinated to hear how Jamaican Patois evolved, and to learn some of the words which feature in Valerie's Patois poems. Everyone joined in enthusiastically with her 'Pinda Cake' song, and Mrs Branch asked for the recipe (essentially, peanuts and brown sugar). Valerie's 'Mega Star Rap' was a hit with the older children who burst into spontaneous applause at the end. It was a memorable day that inspired and enthralled teachers and children alike.
