A successful Book Week took place in school, with a host of themed activities enjoyed by pupils and students across all year groups.
The week got underway with the launch of Book Week 2020 in the Senior School library and the distribution of World Book Day tokens, which could be used on the final day of the week to exchange for books.
As Tuesday arrived, Senior School Librarian Mrs Dewhurst launched the House QUEST competition in the Frobisher House assembly, this year on the topic of ‘reading’. Pupils in the popular ‘Writing Club’ were given one of ten opening lines from popular fiction and asked to develop the story in their own way. Whilst some surprisingly kept to a similar narrative, many stories went on very different paths to the original novels!
On Wednesday, pupils attended the Senior School library to create bookmarks with ‘Serendipity Finch’ whilst many homes, that evening, prepared their elaborate ‘World Book Day’ costumes.
World Book Day soon arrived, with a full run down of the day (and photos) available here. The incredible outfits, from Nursery to Year 6, were not the only things to amaze staff on the day, with feedback from staff and guests showing how impressed they were with the enthusiasm and excitement shown by pupils.
Guest author, Kjartan Poskitt, commented “It is seven years since I last came to visit QEGS and today once again I was amazed at the excellent manners shown by pupils. It’s always gratifying to see a good school library in action, and this one is as good as they get! The pupils were lively (in a good way) and extremely attentive which makes them a joy to talk to. QEGS is truly a special place to be. How I would love to be a pupil here!”
Parent helper Mrs A. Abahlous EP Satia, added: “As a parent helper in both Primary and Senior School, I was invited to the author event. I really enjoyed every second of it. My son Rayan and his friends enjoyed it so much, they haven’t stopped talking about it since.”
Book Week came to an impressive close on Friday 6th March with the book token exchange at lunchtime and the distribution of ‘Book Boxes’ to each year group, a new initiative for 2020. The staff departmental library competition also came to a close and the lucky winners of signed copies of Kjartan’s books were announced in Year 5 and Year 7. Well done to our ten winners!
Mrs Dewhurst, who uses the themed week to inspire pupils and students to develop a love for reading, reflected: “It has been so special to get everyone on board this week and it has been a promotion of reading, at its best. It is always a real pleasure to work with pupils and students across the Senior School and Sixth Form, and of course our younger pupils in Primary Phase who have showed so much enthusiasm this week.”
“The ‘Drop Everything and Read’ event really helps raise awareness of our Book Week, with every class across all year groups getting involved. I would like to say thank you to the teachers, parent helpers and of course our wonderful pupils and students for making this a fantastic Book Week 2020!”
