Newsletter

READING NEWSLETTER

Welcome to our very first St Cuthbert’s Reading Newsletter In this issue, we will reflect on how we have promoted and celebrated reading this half term, and hear from book-loving pupils, students and staff. Happy reading!

WORLD BOOK DAY AT ST CUTHBERT'S

World Book Day, 2nd March 2023, was a colourful celebration of all things litera staff dressed for the occasion, disguised as their favourite fictional character. Pup Stage 3 took part in a World Book Day quiz, where they guessed the masked rea also guessed which teacher the “shelfie” belonged to on top of other book-theme rounds Congratulations to all our World Book Day quiz winners!

newlibraryour

We are thrilled that our new library finally opened this term for pupils and students W still work to fully stock the library, it is great to see pupils and students use this space to work and to see many chess enthusiasts at break and lunch times

THE BOOK IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN THE MOVIE

Some of our pupils across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 took part in a book/film-themed lunch time They strolled down our very own author walk of fame. Pupils enjoyed cinema treats while exploring a range of authors whose books have since become blockbuster films Our Year 12 and Year 13 A level English Literature students kindly helped out and spoke with the boys about their favourites A literary-ly wonderful lunch time!

AninterviewwithRyanProud,Year12ALevelLiterature student,onhisreadingexperiences.

I have always enjoyed reading because I find it fascinating to read other people's interpretations of the world. I chose to study A Level English Literature because I love to analyse the different ways and styles authors communicate their views, opinions and critiques of societies and societal issues Reading widely has also really helped me in all of my subjects, especially Philosophy, because it has broadened my understanding of abstract concepts, and why people think the way they do

My favourite book is The Outsider by Albert Camus, as it provides an absurdist view on day-to-day situations I am currently reading, and enjoying, Bret Easton Ellis’s American Psycho

AninterviewwithStephPeacock,HeadofReligiousEducation.

What is your favourite book and why?

My favourite book is Wuthering Heights. At A Level we looked at a theme called 'the Gothic' and this was one of the books that we had to read I really enjoyed analysing the text and looking at the different types of love explored within the book. I have read it many times since and always find something new to think about Interestingly, I don't actually think many of the characters in it have many redeeming qualities and are actually dislikeable but I love the book itself

Where and when do you most like to read? My favourite place to read is on holiday next to the pool, I enjoy sitting with my kindle, in the shade with a hat on and my sunglasses At home I would be more likely to read before bed to try and wind down before I get to sleep I try to set aside time to read about 10 pages each day, otherwise it is easy to lose yourself in the business of each day

Why do you enjoy reading? I enjoy reading as I find it a good time to relax and take my mind off other things that can be distracting throughout the day

What are you currently reading? I am currently reading 'The Lady of the Rivers' by Phillipa Gregory I enjoy reading historical fiction

How can you support your son's reading at home?

Allocate at least 20 minutes each evening to reading (maybe just before bed).

Read aloud with/to your son

Listen to audiobooks with your son

BOOKRECOMMENDATIONS

YEAR7

Kick by Mitch Johnson

Set in Jakarta, when Budi’s dreams of escaping poverty through football stardom abruptly end, his life spirals as he finds himself owing money to a very dangerous man But through sheer force of will and determination, he resolves to put everything right This fast-paced and gripping novel is an uplifting and inspirational story that will leave readers believing anything is possible

Set in a near-future world on the brink of ecological catastrophe Gabrielle is a climatechange activist who shoots to fame when she becomes the first teenager to display a supernatural ability to grow plants from her ski Teenagers around the world are developing the strange new “Greenfingers” power In a time of widespread corruption and greed, there are plenty of profit-hungry organizations who want to use the Greenfingers for their own ends And not everyone would like to see the Earth saved

YEAR9

The Blue Book of Nebo

by Manon Steffan Roe

Tyger by SF Said

There are three doors that I may show you You will find a different kind of power behind each one '

Adam has found something incredible in a rubbish dump in London A mysterious, mythical, magical animal A tyger And the tyger is in danger

Adam and his friend Zadie are determined to help, but it isn't just the tyger's life at stake Their whole world is on the verge of destruction Can they learn to use their powers before it's too late?

YEAR8

Robin Hood: Hacking, Heists & Flaming Arrows

by Robert Muchamore

A Robin Hood for the modern age

When his dad is framed for a robbery, Robin and his brother Little John are hounded out of the corrupt town of Locksley They must learn to survive in the Sherwood Forest, stretching three hundred kilometres and sheltering the free spirits and outlaws But Robin is determined to do more than survive Small, fast, and deadly with a bow, he hatches a plan to join forces with outlaw Marion Maid, harness his inimitable tech skills and strike a blow against the corrupt police and infamous underworld boss Gisborne

Rebound by Kwame Alexander

Dylan and his mother, Rowenna, are isolated survivors of a nuclear war They struggle to negotiate the challenges of living off the land and being self-sufficient and the resulting impact that their new lifestyle has upon their mental health Set in rural Wales and told through interwoven diary extracts with viewpoints from both mother and son the intimacy of their complex relationship is suffused by memories, secrets and private thoughts

After witnessing the death of Clara, Spence finds himself caught in an endless time loop where he is forced to relive and re-evaluate the same 24 hours which culminates in Clara’s death Soon he finds himself questioning the behaviour of the people he holds most dear Are there ways Spence can influence and change the outcome?

A sharp and witty coming-of-age story which explores the complexities of modern teenage friendship

This verse novel echoes with the hip hop rhythms and bounce of a basketball game Portraying a family coming together and to terms with grief sensitively and poignantly, lightened by some great one liners along the way

Readers will be gripped and ultimately uplifted by this affirming tale; “aim high, reach for the sky, take your piece of this world, and make it into something sweet”

And The Stars Were Burning Brightly by

An extraordinary novel about loss, understanding and the importance of speaking up when all you want to do is shut down When fifteen-year-old Nathan discovers that his older brother Al, has taken his own life his whole world is torn apart Al was special Al was talented Al had so many dreams so why did he do it? Convinced that his brother was in trouble, Nathan decides to retrace Al’s footsteps As he does, he meets Megan, Al's former classmate, who is as determined as Nathan to keep Al's memory alive Together they start seeking answers, but will either of them be able to handle the truth about Al’s death when they eventually discover what happened? #BurnBright

1,800,000wordsperyear.

KS4

Green Rising by Lauren James

Danielle Jawando

The Eternal Return of Clara Hart by Louise Finch