Matt Dickinson visits Year 10

Matt Dickinson is not your regular author. Others may rely on their vivid imaginations to shape the world within their stories, but Matt’s tales stand firmly in the plane of reality. Since his ambitious climb to the summit of Mount Everest in 1996 - a journey that few people embark upon and even fewer return from safely - he has shared his life-changing experience with countless schools in order to spark creativity in the minds of young writers. Hence his visit to Year 10 on Tuesday.

The students flocked to the Hall, where Matt began by showing small video clips from ‘Man vs. Wild’ - a film series featuring Bear Grylls. As a conqueror of Mount Everest, Matt does not shy away from challenge: despite being relatively new to the role, he worked as director for this hugely popular series. He discussed such difficulties as finding suitable actors, as well as ensuring the best spending of the show’s budget.

Moving on, Matt told the tale of his fearsome journey to the peak of Mount Everest. He showed the dangers and perils of the ascent even just to base camp. The cost was just as frightening: an eye-watering fifty thousand pounds! After such an experience, he compiled his adventure into a book to form ‘The Everest Files’ - one of his bestsellers, which tells his personal tale about the trek up Mount Everest. Since then, he has written many more fabulous novels: for example, “Lie Kill Walk Away”, an action-packed thriller which follows the lives of two children with a deadly secret.

And that drew the assembly to a close. Leaving the Hall, the whole of Year 10 was engulfed in awe and amazement at Matt’s achievements: proving the importance of following your passions in life, taking on challenges and sharing your story to inspire others.