This Monday, we had the pleasure of welcoming author Josh Silver to Wellington for an inspiring day of workshops and discussions. Best known for Happy Head, Dead Happy, and his latest novel Trauma land, Josh captivated our Year 10 students with his candid storytelling—not just about his books, but about his own journey through school, his career as a mental health nurse and actor, and his path to becoming a writer.

During the two workshops, students had the chance to engage with Josh, sharing their own imaginative ideas and discussing the creative process. He was particularly impressed by their thoughtful contributions and originality, and I couldn’t have been prouder of the way our students participated—openly, honestly, and with a genuine enthusiasm for storytelling. Luka from Year 10 commented ” the workshop was fun and the feedback on my story was useful and encouraging”  It was a brilliant opportunity for them to develop skills that will be invaluable for the creative writing component of their GCSEs next year.

One of the most interesting takeaways from Josh’s visit was his insight into why he writes dystopian fiction. He spoke about how his frustration with the state of the world fuels his writing, channeling that emotion into stories that challenge, provoke, and engage readers. It was fascinating to hear how personal passion and real-world concerns can shape an author’s choice of genre.

And for fans of Happy Head, there’s exciting news—both the book and its sequel are being adapted for film! We can’t wait to see Josh’s work brought to life on screen.

A huge thank you to Josh for sharing his experiences and wisdom with us. His visit was truly inspiring, and we hope it has sparked a new wave of creativity among our students!