• Home
• Students
• Library News

Library News

The library continues to be very busy at both breaktime and lunchtime, and is getting used more before school too. The official opening time is 8.30 am but as much as possible the doors are open earlier to maximise that morning time. There is a slight change to games allocation at lunchtime as explained in our section about opening times - this is just to ensure we have enough space for those students who wish to read and do homework. We're aiming for the right balance as it's so important to offer the library as a welcoming and comfortable space.

This week, we continued with some of our Year 7 lessons that were missed last week due to Industrial Strike action. The students didn't miss out on their allocated time browsing and choosing books, alongside reading independently and enjoying activities designed to broaden their awareness of the many books we have available. One of our key focus areas is for students to record their reading on the Book Bingo cards, with their information on their reading and updating of this earning lots of achievement points - so let's keep those Book Bingo cards going and up to date!

Tutor time - A Shared Short Story

This week, during tutor time, the students have had the chance to read a story together. Each morning, a section of the story was read, with a quiz on offer for the final day. The idea of this is to promote reading for pleasure for all years groups and encourage that sense of anticipation - wondering what will happen next but having to hold on for the next part. Hopefully the students enjoyed the light hearted story of murder - don't worry, the moral was crime doesn't pay!

World Book Day Tokens

A reminder that this is the last few days to use the World Book day tokens for the line-up of £1 books for 2023. These free books are a part of the promotion of  reading for pleasure as they offer every child and young person the opportunity to choose and own a book. Students have until the 26th March to use these tokens so it really is worth popping into one of the participating outlets.

The tokens were shared with all students on Thursday 2nd March via Edulink, along with a tutor session explaining which books were aimed at their age group and that the token could also be used to get £1 off any other book of their choice.

Students can then use the tokens at any participating bookshop

• Asda
• Blackwell’s (selected stores only)
• Morrisons
• Sainsburys
• Tesco
• The Works
• Waterstones
• WHSmith   

Sora

Our ebooks and audio books platform has been launched to all Year 7 students through their library lessons and this has been revisited in the lessons this week to support their accessing of it. The students have been asked to get themselves logged in and explore this brilliant facility. This will also be launched with all other years to ensure that every student has the opportunity to log into this free service. This is a fantastic app that enables students to browse a virtual library which is filled with eBooks, AudioBooks, comics and magazines.

Students can download the app to their phones and tablets, to then make full use of this online lending library which even returns the borrowed resources on time without the student needing to remember.

When setting up for the first time it is important that students remember to put in the set up code which has been shared with them. They will then be able to locate their school name and log in using their usual school log in details. 

Careers Corner

Always available for students to help and support as they consider what and where they may wish to study in the future, along with possible career ideas.This area has various leaflets and prospectuses, not simply for the older students but for all years. In addition, there are a number of books based on careers and developing one’s potential.If students need any guidance or simply a hard copy of online information from the colleges, then they can come along to the Library.

     

Library Times

The library continues to be available before, during and after school.

Opening Times:

• Before school from 8.30 am. However, it is often open from 8.15 am
• During breaktime and lunchtime
• After school until 3.30 pm. Longer availability is an option.
• Year 7 and 8 Book Club runs on a Wednesday until 4.00pm
• Games Club runs on a Friday until 4.30 pm

Please do remind students that the Library is here to be a calm place for students. If students prefer a louder lunchtime and a place to go, 'Chill and Chat' is now held in MFL3 on Mondays and Friday.

Board games are available for students on Tuesday - Thursday at lunchtimes only. They have the option of using the 'Chill and Chat' facility on Monday and Friday for this also. There is now a limit on the amount of tables being used for games to ensure there is still space for students wishing to use the library for reading and homework. 

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Reading, alongside mindfulness activities/ homework & revision. Board games unavailable	Reading, alongside mindfulness activities/ homework & revision and quiet board games	Reading, homework & revision, with mindfulness activities also available and quiet board games	Reading, alongside mindfulness activities/ homework & revision and quiet board games	Reading, alongside mindfulness activities/ homework & revision. Board games unavailable

Books of the week:

21% Monster

Fun, fast-paced, high-octane action adventure, 21% Monster is a perfect page-turning new series for fans of Alex Rider, and Percy Jackson.

When Darren Devlin is arrested for destroying his school with his bare hands, it's not just the police who are after him. Enter Marek Masters, 14 years old, 19% alien, and the most intelligent, most wanted "almost human" alive. Marek is here to tell Darren the truth - he is 21% monster, and together they must take down the secret organisation that created them.

Darren and Marek are wanted, powerful and dangerous. And now it's payback time.