In November, some of each year group were chosen to go to the Tyneside Cinema to see a new movie called ‘Queen of Katwe.’

It was about a young girl called Phiona, who grew up in Uganda with her siblings and hardworking mum. She didn’t really have any dreams that she wanted to achieve; she just thought she’d grow up to work like everyone else. That was up until she met Robert (a more wealthy man, who worked for an education outreach organisation who gave kids a reason to live). Robert would teach all the children how to play chess and how to have fun. Eventually after raising money, he put the kids into a chess competition, which then lead Phiona to a national competition and a lot of success at playing chess. Phiona became ambitious to succeed and to make the lives of her mother and siblings better.

A book was written about Phiona and her success and with the money that she earned she was able to buy a house in the country big enough for the whole family. Her life and the life of other children who got involved with Robert’s chess team were transformed. At the end of the film we learned about what had happened to each of the team. They were all doing well either at school, college or in work.

The film really opened not only girls’ but boys’ eyes to see that, even if you are not rich, you should have ambitions and you can still achieve your dreams by working hard.

Leila, Year 7