College was buzzing with creativity as students came together to celebrate World Book Day in style. With a mix of imagination, collaboration, and a sprinkle of digital magic, it was a day to remember.
From designing quirky book characters to creating hilarious group stories and dressing up, the students let their imaginations run wild, with a little help from Functional Skills and Digital Skills staff, as well as green screen wizardry and artificial intelligence (AI).
The Create a Book Character competition was a highlight, featuring nearly 50 entries from across our Gobowen, Telford, Walford, and Ludlow campuses. The characters were as varied as they were brilliant – from the ever-popular Harry Potter to a football-playing Gruffalo, Elton John, and a selection of monsters, some friendly, some fierce!
Students also teamed up to craft group stories that ranged from the wonderfully bonkers to the outright hilarious. There was a royal cat battling a magic chair, a pizza planet, and a purple monster named Barry.
Local author and poet Jan Hedger, an industry champion for Derwen College, had the challenging task of judging the individual and group entries. After plenty of laughs and careful deliberation, she crowned her winners:
Individual Book Characters:
First Place – ‘Groot’ by Luan Sinclair
I would like to meet Groot, with his cheeky, happy smile and I want to read his story. Use of colouring in different shades of brown, is clever, like the bark of a tree. There is a lot of movement in this illustration, brings Groot alive. Well done.
Second Place – All About Elton John & Ellie by Ellie Thomas
So good to choose and draw for the illustrated book cover, a famous character – not from a book or their own story, but a musician and to tell us all about Elton John & Ellie, like a biography. Good likeness as well.
Third Place – Ai image by Rhys Blackstock
Really like the imagination in the text to introduce the character and shape the story. Cheese, Banana & Pizza – a real feast to make a Superstar story!
Group Stories:
First Place – Dragon Ball Cat
Very good use of illustration and characters, especially the talking and moving chair. Reminded me of Disney’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. I like the whole shape of the story and after falling out and fighting, they all became friends again. I like the extra touch of adding – to next time – Dragon Ball Cat – I can’t wait…
Second Place – Holiday That Went Wrong
This one made me laugh – so clever to use humour in the story – and to use animals and the way they act and communicate – excellent illustrations. I like the way of bringing the message of food allergies, which is important and DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME – I loved that message! Very good characters.
Third Place – David Saves The Day
This story took me on a Grand Tour of the Derwen complex! I really enjoyed my tour – especially the Woodland Walk. Derwen staff as your characters – is ingenious – I am sure the staff will love it as well, as I did.
Functional Skills Coordinator Leah Bamford and teacher Grace Amblin, dressed as Maleficent and Cruella De Vil for the occasion, couldn’t be prouder of the students’ efforts.
Leah said: “Reading and writing skills are important in everyday life. Events like these promote reading and writing for pleasure, which not only enhances literacy skills but also fosters creativity, social skills and builds confidence.”
A huge thank you to Jan for her expert judging and to all our students for bringing their incredible ideas to life. Together, we turned World Book Day into a celebration for everyone!”