Congratulations to all who completed the Autumn Reading Challenge this year. A record number completed the challenge, with 88 people reading books from four different genres during the Michaelmas term, amounting to 352 books being read and reviewed. Pupils from all year groups participated, along with staff from a range of departments, including maths, science, modern languages, English, geography, technicians and support, reflecting that we really are a community of avid readers.
House points are allocated based on the number of pupils who complete the challenge from each House. Seldon comfortably took first place, with New and Fenwick joint second, followed closely by Chichester in third place. There was a real buzz at the presentation event, with food, drink and balloons, creating a truly celebratory feel.
Award-winning young adult author Kathryn Evans gave a motivating speech on the power of reading and its impact on her life from a very early age. She reminded everyone of the benefits of reading to our general wellbeing and shared her thoughts on how it can impact on our lives:
- It reduces stress and helps with relaxation
- It improves problem solving
- It improves knowledge, focus and vocabulary
- It’s free entertainment!
- It teaches empathy
- But mostly… story matters – that ability to share stories is part of what makes us human.
Everyone received a certificate signed by the Head Master, and the lucky £50 Amazon prize draw winners were:
- Support Staff: Miss Egan (Chemistry Technician)
- Teaching Staff: Miss Duffield (Teacher of Biology)
- Pupil: Tai (Lower Sixth)
Senior Librarian Mrs McCullough concluded the event by encouraging everyone to keep reading in the weeks ahead, join in with the 13 by 13 and 18 by 18 school challenges and to look out for a brand new reading challenge that will be launched by the Library next week. Watch this space.
