It was just so thoroughly enjoyable, engaging, and educational.
An ecologically sound, environmentally friendly immersive experience which proved especially enjoyable for the students and staff who wholeheartedly embraced the event at Shanganamore National School, Barrowhouse.
The Last Beekeeper, Reading Aloud project is more than just a reading but an inter-active sensory session involving storytelling, song, and drum circle.
All these elements are intertwined in a fashion that weave through the storyline, its origins and inspiration.
The event was an outstanding success thanks to the enthusiasm and interest of the 5th and 6th class pupils who were especially attentive and involved.
The Last Beekeeper visit to the school as the summer holidays approach served to endorse and amplify the many school projects and activities which they have been working on all year in terms of nature, biodiversity, habitats, and environmental awareness.
The moral of the story? Who knows where it will happen next, as the final chapter has yet to be written, and that is in the hands of the Shanganamore sixth class students and their generation?
The event was scheduled to coincide with the recent National Biodiversity Week and World Bee Day.
Participating in the programme were John Whelan, aka Johnny Renko the author of The Last Beekeeper, along with Slieve Bloom Sean Nós writer and singer, Paddy Fitzpatrick, and David Day of Jabba Jabba Jembe drum circle fame.
The project was made possible thanks to the support of the Laois Arts Office and the Local Live Performance Scheme, funded by the Department of Culture and Arts.
“That was most enjoyable, and you could see that the children were into it and captivated from the outset, really curious about the story and how it came about. It fitted in lovely with the work they have been doing on the environment and their nature murals,” explained one of their teachers Eilish Candy.
The school children were also keen to learn more about the book, its source influences, how it came about and the striking cover image, an original painting by Canadian artist, Autumn Skye Morrisson.
“That was really fantastic for us today in terms of our English classes and reading, the meaning of words, the use of language and as we are encouraging the students to write their own stories, we are also talking about the importance of the opening sentences to have a hook and get the reader interested, so it is really beneficial and encouraging,” outlined another teacher, Patrick Kennedy.
The Last Beekeeper team would like to thank Muireann Ní Chonnaill and the Laois Arts Office for their support, and to the Principal of Shanganamore NS, Barrowhouse, Pauline Lawlor and her staff Eilish Candy, Patrick Kennedy and Christine Wall for their warm welcome and enthusiast support for this event.
More information on The Last Beekeeper can be found on www.thelastbeekeeper.ie
You can check out a selection of images from the event below.
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