Great School Libraries

Feels like a long time ago when this librarian, and many others, contributed to the first UK National survey into the state of our school libraries. The results have been analysed and although the presentation to parliament has been slightly delayed by recent events, published, and are well worth a read by anyone interested in what’s working and what isn’t in our school libraries – and what the impact can be on students as a result!

Go to: Great School Libraries to find out more and read the full report for yourself.

 

WHSSH-Week 2019

So the crazy is upon us again with a week of kind and creative challenges. The students have thrown themselves into it with some great submissions already coming in, the competition is really heating up. All under the watchful eye of some rather intimidating baked goodies!

Just Leave it!

Every year at this time I start looking at the statistics for book returns. Or more exactly, book non-returns. The battle to get Year 11 and Year 13 students to return library and text books as they leave the school never seems to get easier despite reminders, rewards, begging, charging for replacement…

The amount of funds that go to replacing rather than expanding our book stock sucks.

There really are no dire consequences for students if a book is late. We don’t even charge overdue fees – I just want the books back. *sad librarian noises*

So brilliant suggestions for next year’s return campaign gratefully accepted!

Good Idea!

The team entering the Rymans’ marketing challenge needed a little inspiration so I made a costume to brighten up their presentation. I ‘m sure they will light up the room and the judges will see our students positively glow with enthusiasm. Right now they are coiled up with excitement – the atmosphere at Wembley will be electric! Not sure Watt else I can say! …any more puns? I imagine that’s enough. I should probably just wish them luck.

80 Years of WyHigh!

 

In honour of the school’s 80th anniversary, student librarian Kate and I have been pouring through the archives taking a look at not only the original Day Book (pictured) but also the Punishment Book and reams of old photos of students past. We even found Kate’s mum’s name in the register for the year she joined the school! Amazing fun!

Book Fair 2019

Our annual fantastic Book Fair was collected today after four days of successful selling helped out by the Student Librarians.

So grateful to all the staff and students who came to the Library to support the Fair as every £1 spent means a contribution to the Library. Mrs Upton in RE was the winner of this year’s teachers challenge. She brought over the most classes and so will get a lovely set of books that she has chosen from the Scholastic website to use as class prizes next term. If you can’t wait until next year remember you can go to  https://www.scholastic.co.uk/at any time for more great book bargains. List Wymondham High when you order and help your favourite school Library to earn book rewards year round – Thanks!

The Game is Afoot!

The hunt for clues is on in the library with this fiendish new challenge! Following on from last year’s Filing Cabinet Escape, plucky students can earn a chance to win a £5 voucher to spend at this year’s Scholastic Book Fair. All they need do is follow the clues around the library and figure out which staff member has stolen the “Golden Lesson Plan”, where they have hidden it and what their nefarious motive was. Good Luck!

Librarian’s Choice

Very excited to be launching the first ever joint book award between the three high schools in our Trust. The fabulous Librarians over at Neatherd and Long Stratton Academies and I have each picked two each of our favorite recent reads to share with our students. The students will be getting together to share their opinions before the final vote as well as sharing reviews and questions to the authors. Here at Wymondham we hope to have Nicky Singer visit our group to talk about writing The Survival Game.

If you have read any of these books why not add your review to ours?

Looking forward to debating which book should win ahead of the announcement on World Book Day!

 

Harry Potter Night #5

Another amazing night for the Potterheads of Wymondham!

Team “Cursed Children” flew home with the prize prophecy from this year’s Harry Potter Quiz Night. For the fifth year in a row almost 300 people came to share their love of the Wizarding World with food, treats, costume contest, butterbeer, living fountains and a full size replica phone-box for this Ministry-themed episode in what has to be one of the biggest HP events on the calendar. Of course, the fun was topped off with the most fiendish quiz delivered this year by Professor Umbridge.

 

Huge thanks as ever to the Dumbledore’s Army of volunteers, site and kitchen staff who make this event possible.

Give me a couple of weeks to recover and I’ll be looking for inspiration for HP#6. Send any suggestions by owl to Wymondham High Library at your earliest convenience!

 

Year Seven Read On

Following the Library’s transition book gifting, how fantastic to be able to gift every one of our year 7 with another book!

Students chose their read from this year’s Book Buzz selection. Thanks to BookTrust and Wymondham High for making this possible and Mrs Taylor for allowing the gifting to happen during the Y7 Celebration Evening.  Definitely inspired and just in time for Christmas!