Halloween thrills and exceptional tales at annual St. Joseph's Spooker Prize

The Annual Halloween Spooker Prize took place at St. Joseph’s Boys’ School on Thursday last and so popular has the event become that they had to hold three different sittings.

The writing and storytelling event held in the school each October is organised by the Literacy Co-ordinator Mr Peter Smith who engages the pupils with storytelling about a local corpse called Eddie who had difficulty being contained in a traditional coffin and also some yarns about Cumber House in Claudy which is reportedly the most haunted place in Ireland.

IN PICTURES: ‘Ghostly Goings-On’ abound at the St. Joseph’s Annual Spooker Prize

P7 pupils from visiting primary schools took part and earned prizes alongside St. Joseph's students

Mr Smith commented ‘Pupils showed great imagination with their stories and we were really impressed with their willingness to read these aloud to their peers during Thursday’s events. Again, it was great to see so many P7 pupils from visiting primary schools play their part and walk away with some of the prizes.’

The School’s Head of Year 8 Mr. Paul Quigley was on hand to deliver the prizes.

Speaking at the event he said: ‘What an experience for our pupils. The Year 8 English teachers have spent the last week showing these pupils different writing techniques to raise suspense and today we witness the results of that labour.

‘The stories were truly exceptional. It is also fantastic for the self-esteem and confidence of the boys to read their stories to an audience and have their work recognised. A massive well done to all.’