Love of reading is shared by all

Former teacher Jennifer Lepard and Regis School pupil Craig Bryant inspiring the local youngsters at the Shine event.

Picture by Louise Adams C130835-1 Bog Jun27 Shine — Former teacher Jennifer Lepard and Regis School pupil Craig Bryant inspiring the local youngsters at the Shine event. Picture by Louise Adams C130835-1 Bog Jun27 Shine

The Shine reading project being run by The Regis School has seen the written word come to life for pupils.

The year-long effort has seen 11 students mentor some 35 Year 2 pupils from Southway and South Bersted primary schools.

In turn the Year 7 boys have been mentored by members of the Laburnum Centre for the over-50s.

Project organiser Julie Woodward said: “It has been amazing to watch how the project has developed over the year.

“To see all of the students enjoying reading and growing in confidence has been fantastic. Seeing the way the Year 7 students have worked with the younger pupils has made me really proud.

“It really has been about getting the wider Bognor community reading. We have interacted and worked with students from our feeder schools as well as the older community.

“We also want this project to grow and include more students from The Regis School and more local primary schools.

“The Year 7s who have taken part this time will also be keeping up their mentoring as the pupils move into Year 3.

“They will also help the new Regis School students with the project too.”

As part of the initiative students from The Regis School have visited both of the primary schools, and taken part in a number of trips.

They have visited an air raid shelter at Chichester University’s Bognor campus, the Tangmere Aviation Museum and a forest school to name but a few.

Craig Bryant, 12, said: “It has been really good to be part of Shine. I have loved it. It has also helped me improve my reading and I have really enjoyed going to the museums and trips but helping the Year 2s that has been the best bit.”

The project has seen Craig’s reading age improve by two and a half years.

Fellow student Charlie Mariner said he was also enjoying now reading.

“When I first started Shine I couldn’t read The Diary of a Whimpy Kid – now I am on the third one. I enjoyed visiting the university and the bomb shelter, but helping the younger children with their reading has been the best,” said  the 12-year-old.

As a fabulous finish to the project was held at Westloats Lane last Thursday (June 20).

The celebration included a picnic, activities based around different books organised by the students.

A West End theatre production then rounded off  the afternoon.