Colin Bateman Visit - 18 March 2011
As part of our school initiative to improve literacy and promote a love of reading, we were delighted to host a special visit by the famous local author, Colin Bateman.
Colin Bateman is one of Northern Ireland's best known writers. He is the award winning author of twenty crime novels, including Divorcing Jack, Mystery Man and I Predict A Riot. He has written extensively for film and created the long running BBC1 series Murphy's Law.
His stage play, National Anthem, was the sold-out hit of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival in 2010. He was recently made an Honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of Ulster for his services to Literature. Colin has published eight novels for children - the 'Eddie and the Gang With No Name' Trilogy, 'Titanic 2020' and its sequel, and three books in a new series, 'The SOS Adventures'.
His visit marks the re-publication of his first children's book "Running With The Reservoir Pups". A special schools' edition of this book was available for pupils to buy or order on the day.
Colin talked to Year 8 pupils about the importance of books and reading, and how he became a writer. He also read a very entertaining extract from the story, answered many questions and signed purchased books.
This visit provided a wonderful opportunity for pupils to see for themselves that a self-confessed shy and ordinary student can become an international literary success.