Last Wednesday, we were delighted to welcome back to school Southmoor alumnus, comedian and author Justine Sless.
Justine’s brand new novel “Before I Sing You This Song” was launched on Saturday 3rd October. Justine lives in Melbourne, Australia, but was born and raised in Sunderland. The novel is set in 1978, drawing inspiration from local comedy legend Bobby Thompson, and is centred around the character of Elsie Bishop, who has an ambition to perform stand-up comedy.
The novel features many familiar places around the local area, including Southmoor School.
Throughout the ten year writing project, Justine has been driven by the desire to walk back through the doors of her old school, Southmoor Academy, and tell today’s students “If I can do it, then so can you.”
On Wednesday, Justine spent the full day in school, meeting staff and students, delivering author Q&A sessions with our students, along with stand-up comedy workshops, and meeting our special guests of Year 6 students from Valley Road School.
Justine has also generously donated a full set of the books which will be proudly displayed soon in our newly refurbished library.
