March has been another busy month in the Library as we celebrated World Book Day on Thursday 7th with displays, quizzes and competitions and the now annual Inter-House Book Quiz, which was once again won by Praeger after a tightly fought contest. This team was made up of Emilia Huey & Emma West-Hurst 8C, Lila-Grace Coleman 8E and Harry McConkey 9E. Competition between the Houses has extended into this month’s Accelerated Reader with Year 8 & 9 pupils who score 85%+ in their quizzes going up on the scoreboard. At the time of writing, it’s Praeger who are in the lead! Pupils can also gain house points by entering this month’s Book Review writing competition, which is due for submission by April 9th.
Accelerated Reader quizzing has continued well this month with pupils achieving individual word and points targets plus continuing to add to their class totals to see who will win the coveted day trip to Portrush: 8C and 9A are currently leading their respective year groups. So far 114,074,312 words have been read and 2,198 quizzes passed, and we have 27 word millionaires, including 5 of whom are multi-millionaires. Many pupils continue to complete their 10 x100% cards for which they win a prize from Mr Heaney, Head of the English Department.
March also sees the return of the annual Yoto Carnegie Medal Shadowing Book Group which is an internationally established scheme where pupils ‘shadow’ this illustrious book award for children’s writing. Those taking part this year have had their initial get-together and discussed their expectations of the 8 shortlisted books before picking the first to read from a list that proves to be an interesting one. Discussions will take place over the next couple of months before we submit our winner at the end of May. Next term the group will meet during Tuesday lunchtime and new members are encouraged to come on April 9th if they wish to participate in this during the summer term. It’s a great opportunity to read books you might not normally choose, as well as sharing ideas with like-minded others.
There have been a variety of displays in the Library this month from promoting newly acquired books in our ‘Spring Into Reading’ selection, to celebrating Irish writers, to supporting Neurodiversity Celebration Week plus our regular Pupil Librarian recommendations, ‘Fortnightly Focus on’ different authors, and lots of helpful posters giving ideas on ‘What to Read Next’ / ‘If You Like…, Try ….’
Finally, but most importantly, March is traditionally our sponsored read month in which all Year 8, 9 and 10 pupils are encouraged to read as much of whatever they like for pleasure and in turn donate some money to the Read for Good children’s charity. This charity not only encourages children to read but through their hospital programme provides brand-new, carefully chosen books and regular professional storyteller sessions to the UK’s 30 major children’s hospitals, thus supporting seriously ill children’s disrupted learning, and giving them and their families precious distraction and comfort at a time when it’s needed the most. No matter how small the amount, your contribution is greatly appreciated and your continued support very much valued, and we would encourage everyone to donate something to this very worthy cause. The easiest way to sponsor your child is at https://readathon.secure.force.com/sponsor where you can donate online. However, if more convenient, you can send cash with the sponsor card to school. Regardless of how you donate, it would be appreciated if all sponsor cards be returned to your child’s English teacher when we return to school after the Easter holidays (by 12th April) so that that the charity can claim Gift Aid which increases the value of donations by 25%.
These are just some of the things that have been happening in the Library this month which is always promoting reading for pleasure and the benefits it brings. To keep up to date please follow us on X @SullivanUpp_Lib
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