19 May 2011 – SCOLA Reading Evening at the Wallington Library

When I was invited to attend the Reading Evening being held at the Wallington Library at 7pm on Thursday 19th May, I was very pleased to accept. I am always interested to learn what people think and what they have to say, especially when it comes to our students at SCOLA. There are many ways to express our view of the world and to share the views of others. Reading and writing are certainly powerful ways to share our views.

I was thinking about how I might describe this event to someone else, and was reminded of a project for young readers and writers that a colleague had run. It was called, “Brave New Words”. This seemed to me to encapsulate what the evening was about. Learners had set out on a voyage of discovery. As they develop their skills they open themselves up to the ideas of countless others. At the same time, some may decide to chart their own innermost thoughts either in the form of a poem, a work of fiction or even in the form of an autobiography. It can be a brave step forward, both to commit their ideas to paper (or screen) and even more brave to decide to share them with others.
During the evening students read the pieces that they had written. Some students when starting their course at SCOLA had no reading or writing skills, but were now able to pen touching poems and wonderful stories.

So, bold adventurers of SCOLA, I salute you. I enjoyed hearing what you had to say immensely, and to sharing in your projects as you progress along your journey. I am so grateful for the invitation – it was a great pleasure to have Lord Graham Tope and Cathy McDonough – supporting the event. I’d also like to thank all those who have supported these learners on their journey both in terms of their family and friends, as well as those at SCOLA who are sharing this journey with you.

A very pleasant evening and one that reminds us why we are in the industry we are in and why we do the job we do!

Saboohi Famili
Principal