Boys into Books

The Cobblers Study Centre recently hosted a sports quiz for Years 5 & 6 pupils to celebrate the 'Boys into Books' initiative. The main aim of 'Boys into Books' is to support the reading needs of boys across the country and provide information about titles which might attract and enthuse boys about reading for pleasure. The day was held at Northampton Town Football Club in conjunction with the Learning Resources for Education Northants Schools Library Service and fifteen schools from across the county took part. Tom Palmer, author of Foul Play and The Football Academy Series hosted the 'Question of All Sports' quiz in the Players Lounge. As well as including questions about a variety of sports, the quiz encouraged the boys who were taking part to look at a range of sports related fiction and non-fiction, websites and newspapers. The quiz culminated in an exciting penalty shoot out featuring Football in the Community Scheme Manager Russell Lewis.

Supporter to Reporter Update

Supporter to Reporter (S2R) is an innovative project which works with disadvantaged young people and gives them hands on experience in developing media skills by interviewing, filming and creating their own stories and content based around high profile sporting events. This term at the Cobblers Study Centre we have continued to roll out our S2R project with a group of boys from The Gateway School. The Gateway boys are new to the project and in the past few weeks have been developing their interviewing and editing skills. They have learnt how to blog online, create their own web spaces, interview, edit and upload work onto a live online station. They have already interviewed several players and fans around the stadium and have learnt the skills necessary to create a good Vox Pop. As well as developing the skills of our own S2R group, staff from the Cobblers Study Centre hosted a match day experience for visiting young reporters at the recent League Two home game against Crewe Alexandra. The young reporters worked in the stadium to compile pre-match reports and also questioned staff and fans prior to the match about their predictions for the game. To read and listen to their work please go online to www.radiowaves.co.uk/s2rnorthampton.

KC Reward Day

In the middle of November pupils from Kingsthorpe College were invited to take part in a Reward Day at the Cobblers Study Centre. Year 8's who have been working hard throughout the term were selected by class teachers to take part in the day. The KC students were greeted at the Study Centre in morning and taken on an extended tour of the stadium. Highlights included getting a sneak preview of the changing rooms before match day and watching the first team prepare for a match on the training pitch. The KC pupils also got the chance to catch up with NTFC Youth Team player Greg Kaziboni who is an ex-KC student. Challenges such as Stadium Orienteering kept the Students active throughout the morning. After lunch, the KC students braved the rain and took part in a football practical session led by Adrian from the NTFC Community Programme. Back in the Study Centre the students ended their reward day by making a comic strip about their experience at the Study Centre. Thank you to all the students for making it such an enjoyable day!