LIBRARY

WABA Book Club Trip

On Wednesday 8th February we took our Book Club to Talbot Heath School in Bournemouth for the award ceremony of the Wessex Amazing Book Award (WABA to its friends). This book award was launched by myself, and the other librarians in North Dorset in 2018 and after a brief hiatus for Covid is back with a bang! Our group had prepared for the event by reading one title (or more) from the shortlist, which is chosen by students at schools in the local area. This year’s titles were The Island by C.L. Taylor, When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle, The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna, Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Tyger by S.F. Said. Our most popular read was The Island closely followed by The Gilded Ones. After a morning of advocating for our favourite book in teams with students from the other participating schools we all cast our votes and the winner was announced by local author, Andreina Cordani. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna was crowned the winner of the WABA for 2023, which means that next year’s award ceremony will again take place at Talbot Heath (the school who suggested the book for the shortlist has to host if their choice wins.) Everyone enjoyed meeting other book fans, chatting book stuff, eating cake and visiting another school. We were driven by Mr Eslick, one of the fabulous site team, and we really appreciated him giving up his time to take us. We also want to thank Mrs Few, Mrs Kent and everyone else who helped us areas by flooding it, and introducing new wild species such as ex-Shetland ponies, mangalitsa pigs and butterflies. They are also looking to introduce beavers but currently can’t because they are not a native species. They are hoping to achieve more of this in other areas and farmlands. Their aim is to reconnect people with nature and tackle the current climate and ecological situation.

The second workshop we attended was Whales as Marine Ecosystem Engineers by Dr Jocelyn Elson-Riggins. We found this very interactive as during the workshop we had a go at a game where we had to create our own ecosystems on a board, all to do with whale poo and how it is beneficial for the planet. It helps humans because it takes carbon out of the with organising our trip and ensuring it went smoothly. Our wonderful book club is made up of students from Years 7, 8, 10 and our excellent Literacy Prefects from Year 13. Thank you everyone for joining in with the award.

Author Matt Oldfield visits school

We were very lucky to have a visit from Matt Oldfield on Monday 6th February. He is author, and co-author, of the very popular series of Ultimate Football Heroes books. These are biographies of famous football stars that are written in a story style to make them more interesting and atmosphere as there is already too much. This was especially fun as this helped us understand the topic more and it included everybody.

The third workshop we attended was Hydrogen and Batteries in Rail and Road Transport by Dr Jeff Allen. Unfortunately Dr Jeff Allen couldn’t make it to the workshop so it was led by our Leader of STEAM, Mr More. We learnt about hydrogen powered trains and the future of transport which was fascinating to discuss. Rowan in particular had an interesting conversation with Mr More about lithium batteries, mines and the effects it has on the ecosystems nearby.

By Rowan H and Erin W

having Matt in school and would love to have him visit again.

World Book Day

World Book Day this year was a little bit different due to the teacher’s strike day. We started our celebrations by announcing the theme of ‘Books that have been made in to films/tv shows’ and we kicked things off by sharing staff’s favourite books that have been made in to either a film/tv series. These are displayed on posters that they have on their classroom/office doors. We also have a superb display of books in the libraries that continue this theme. Students can come and browse and find their own favourite book that has been made in to a film/tv series. We moved our celebrating to Friday and had a quick world Book Day book quiz to try out in tutor time. Our main event, however, has been the inter-tutor competition to create your favourite book character (from a book that has been made in to a film/tv series – you’ve maybe noticed that the theme is carried throughout by now?!) using a potato. We are running this competition until the week after World Book Day, and have had several entries at the time of writing. Well done to everyone who has entered so far. Winners will receive a special tutor time ‘party’ in the library with some extra treats! Parents/carers/ guardians – feel free to email in and let us know your favourite books that have been made in to a film/tv series and tell us if you think the book was better still. Send emails to Katie.wyatt@shaftesburyschool. co.uk and we’ll display your responses on our library bulletin board.

Accelerated Reader Update:

We are continuing to use Accelerated Reader with all of KS3 to help them read books that are the right level for their individual ability. We use a diagnostic test at the beginning of each term to work this out and then spend the following term using their personalised level to work towards an individual point target. This term the following students have reached their targets and will be invited to the AR Reward Party in the last week of term.

accessible. Matt was a very interesting speaker who gave two talks to Years 7 and 8 in the morning and then after break met with small groups of Year 9 students to give a workshop on introducing them to writing their own biography, particularly focussing on a mistake/problem that they had to overcome. This session was really good at helping students to not only find their own writing skills but teaching them a bit more about growth mind-set and overcoming obstacles. We really enjoyed

Well done to Jack J, William A, Patryk B, Ryan D, Emily L, Samuel B, Margaret J, Percy R, Esther W, Albie A, and Isla H in Year 7. Lucy H, James W, Liam H, Olivia M, Phoebe O’K, Erin W, Maisie W, Lucas B, Bluebell G-D, Rowan H, Wilfred M, Samuel T, Charlie G-B and Alfie S in Year 8. Paige BS and Lilli B in year 9. You are all AR stars for reaching your targets before the end of term deadline!

Keep reading and quizzing everyone!