Sandroyd Life

Keep Reading! The library motto is still going strong. Another fabulous team of enthusiastic librarians has worked hard to promote reading all year. We kicked off the year with the Book Buzz scheme, a school reading programme for 11 to 13 year olds from the Book Trust charity. An eclectic collection of books, including fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels was presented to our Year 7 and 8 students. Each child was able to order a book of their choice, which they could read, keep or swap. Indeed a fantastic buzz was created amongst students, with many books becoming firm favourites. The librarians delivered two lively assemblies to promote the various activities on offer in the library, and recommend the most popular books of the term across the year groups. The library was not going to miss out on the publishing of our very own Mr Attlee’s new children’s book, “Lost at the End of the World” and we were lucky enough to have Mr Attlee treat us to a lecture explaining the inspiration behind this exciting children’s adventure in Patagonia. He gained many fans, who cannot wait for his new book.

Harry Potter devotees were delighted to be transported back to the library - by floo powder of course - after last year’s virtual event. Young wizards and witches were able to get face paint, attend a potions class, and decorate wands. The evening was rounded up with a Harry Potter themed bingo and a quiz, and Chocolate Frogs and Many Flavour Beans were won. And thanks to an “Accio” spell…a special treat of ginger beer ice-cream was magicked into the library at the end.

Later in the term, Sandroyd Book Week encouraged everyone reading more than ever, with our “Get Caught Reading” event throughout the week. There was also a read off and Junior and Senior students could win a Golden Ticket every day, for answering the literary question of the day every lunch time. Finally, students of all year groups battled it out in our Bananagrams tournament.

The Summer term’s big library event was to take part in the Carnegie Shadowing group. The Sandroyd Shadowers, our team of book critics, were busy reading the eight shortlisted books, submitting reviews and art work to the Carnegie website and voting for their favourite. This year’s selection was particularly challenging, with themes such as slavery, racism and the Japanese tsunami disaster. Life affirming novels were also firm favourites amongst our young judges.

Books Café took place twice a week to discuss all things literary and recommend books old and new and as I write this, we are planning the Sandroyd Summer Books Bingo. I am looking forward to more Sandroydians than ever taking part and reading as many books as possible from the recommended genres.

A heartfelt thank you to the student librarians for helping me to inspire a love of reading in their peers and to run the library. Keep reading!

Céline Cournil