Library

A packed programme of literary events gave this academic year a real celebratory feel. Here are just some of the highlights:

Author Visits

We marked the start of Black History Month with a visit from spoken word artist and cohost of Bristol’s Raise the Bar Saili Katebe on 1st October. He addressed the whole school, discussing his life after moving from Zambia to the predominantly white city of Bath, and closing the service with a performance of his poetry. Saili also ran an engaging writing workshop with a group of Year 12 English Language students, using reworked idioms as inspiration. Black History Month continued with a visit from the award-winning novelist Alex Wheatle MBE Alex talked passionately about his writing influences: Brixton, where he grew up; his Jamaican heritage; his experience of living in a children’s home; and his involvement in the 1981 Brixton uprising. Alex’s early life was dramatised as part of Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen’s Small Axe film series for the BBC. Alex talked to Year 9 about his Young Adult novel Cane Warriors inspired by a 1760 rebellion in British-owned slave plantations in Jamaica, and spoke to the Sixth Form History and Politics students about structural racism, the Brixton uprising, and the importance of black history teaching not being limited to the transatlantic slave trade.

Sue Cheung joined us in November to give two terrific talks to Years 9 and 10 about Chinglish her semiautobiographical culture clash comedy. Though infused with humour, the novel deals with challenging themes and Sue left the students with some words of wisdom: “1. Everyone is always going through something; 2. Nobody can change your life but you; and 3. Writing is great therapy.”. The fabulous author and poet Louisa Reid joined us a few days later to run two thoroughly engaging sessions. The Creative Writing Group worked on rewriting fairy tales to subvert the traditional narrative, and the Year 10s were treated to dramatic readings from Wrecked Louisa’s gripping verse novel. The students then analysed protagonists Joe and Imogen in the context of a broader discussion on toxic relationships.

We were thrilled to celebrate World Book Day with Bristol City Poet Caleb Parkin in March (details on p.40). The celebrations continued into the following week with literary legend Sally Gardner who talked to students in Year 9 about her incredible writing journey. Sally spoke passionately about her dyslexia, which, having prevented her from being able to read until she was 14, resulted in harrowing experiences at school. Sally no longer views dyslexia as a disability but as a creative gift and has since become a powerful advocate for dyslexic people. The Year 9s were treated to gripping readings from her Carnegie Medal winning novel, Maggot Moon. Our final author visit of the academic year came in the form of Kate Weston who spoke to Year 9 about feminism (and its popular misconceptions), mental health, and her fabulously funny Diary of a Confused Feminist series. The academic scholars finished the day with afternoon tea and a brilliant workshop on the cathartic power of journal writing.