Author Tom Percival Inspires Newark Students with Resilience Message

Author Tom Percival visited year seven students at Magnus Church of England Academy in Newark on December 1, 2023, to share insights about his journey as a published writer. During the visit, Percival discussed the themes of his latest book, The Wrong Shoes, which focuses on resilience and the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges.

Percival expressed his enthusiasm for the engagement of the students. “My visit to Magnus C of E Academy has been great, and the students have been really engaged,” he noted. “We have been discussing my book, which at its core is about resilience and overcoming challenges, about not giving up, even when things feel impossible.”

The author emphasized the significance of making the right choices, regardless of the difficulties one may face. He encouraged students to pursue their dreams, whether in music, writing, or sports. “It takes effort, and it is hard to get good at anything,” Percival explained. “We talked about the importance of resilience, of failing, and improving on your failures. That mindset applies to everything you face in life, from work skills to friendships and hobbies.”

Sarah Harper, Assistant Principal at Magnus, remarked on the value of having a published author speak to the students. “At Magnus, we value the impact reading can have on our students. It’s so important that they get the opportunity to hear from a published author, to understand what inspired them, and to see where that creativity stems from,” she said.

As part of the event, students received signed copies of The Wrong Shoes. Percival praised Magnus for the initiative, stating, “I think it’s a wonderful idea that Magnus gifts a book to every year seven student. Accessibility to books is a huge part of encouraging children to read.”

Students shared their reactions to the visit and the book. Lilly-Mai Portas expressed her excitement about starting the book during lunch. “I enjoyed listening to the author talk about the story this morning. He shared his experiences from when he was young, which was inspiring,” she said.

Fellow student Fatima Haymoun appreciated Percival’s passion for his work. “I enjoyed the talk this morning. I was interested to know what the book meant to Tom and can see that he really cares about his stories. I think I would like to have a go at writing a book one day, but I would ask for support from others who have already written books.”

Another student, Sumayyah Adesope, shared her enthusiasm for reading. “Reading is a hobby of mine, and I have always wanted to own a book by this author—not one I have to return to the library! I was really happy to find out we would be getting a copy,” she stated. “I think reading is really important, and I borrow books from the library all the time. It helps you in all of your subjects.”

Heather Jackson, the learning resource centre manager at Magnus, highlighted the significance of gifting books to students. “We are delighted to once again present our Year 7 students with a book this Christmas, with the hope that it inspires them to continue reading throughout their journey at Magnus. Our gift of a book celebrates the importance of reading in a student’s journey, helping them grow, learn, and flourish,” she said.

Percival’s visit not only aimed to inspire resilience but also to foster a love of reading among students, ensuring that the impact of his message resonates beyond the classroom.