Author Karen Gee, Storytelling  session - Inspire Aspire Workshop 18 Mar 19

Author Karen Gee came in to run a storytelling workshop session with a group of  year 7 students

Karen has written a series of inspirational books about Dodger dog, a 6-year-old dog Staffie  who she rescued from Harmsworth Memorial Animal Hospital.

Karen ran an excellent question and answer session focusing her discussion on core themes such as:

• Being happy – which involves looking after both our physical and mental health. Karen used the phrase “Better out than in” to convey the importance of speaking up about our worries and concerns. She also made a very poignant observation that :

"10% of what happens to us in life is linked to things which we cannot control but  the remaining 90% is the result of how we react.   Our actions affect how we live both now and in the future."

• Exploring emotions and feelings: Karen spoke about Shea a deaf dog and sister of Dodger who suffers from anxiety and had a bad start in life.
• Building good relationships with people and being open to accept help from others.
• Recognising people who care about us and appreciating them.
• Not making unfair judgements about people/animals or things – Karen offered the interesting fact that 100 years ago Staffies were used to look after children and were called ‘nanny’ dogs. She used the example of Dodger and the stereotypes levelled against him for being a Staffordshire Bullterrier to highlight the importance of judging people for their actions and words (not how they look). The fact that every 80 minutes in the UK, a healthy Staff is euphonised attests to this.

Other themes which Karen explored included:

• Stranger danger and the importance of sharing

 We are very grateful for the time which Karen gave to both engage with and motivate our students.  The personalised signed copy of her 'How I became Dodger Dog' book which each student was given also served as a lovely gesture and memento.

Special Thanks goes Ms Stroud, Ms Howard Smith, Mrs Smith (L.S.A), Mrs Johnston and Ms Halkes for helping to organise/coordinate the session.