News, Events & Activities
The Alcuin Library It has been a year of change for the library with the arrival of a new Head of Library and Research and, perhaps less dramatically, a brand new carpet. Traditional library cards are no longer used, with pupils now logging in to borrow and renew their books. The library has subscribed to a digital audiobook service, supplementing the CD collection and has introduced a ‘literary lunch’ series where pupils and staff are invited to a lunch with a question-and-answer session with an author. The opportunity to book an appointment with the Librarian to discuss research skills has been a great success, particularly with EPQ pupils. This service is available to all pupils and is supported by the materials available on the VLE. Overall, it’s been a year of exciting developments which will continue next year.
National Poetry Day Competition 2016 We invited pupils to write poems that would explore the theme of light. Many entries were received, but the stand-out submission came from Alexander Coates (Grove).
Man Booker Shadowing, October 2016 This year’s Man Booker shortlist was full of marvels, and Mrs Lawrence’s A-level students were on fine form in their presentations on the books. The evening was full of impassioned speeches on the merits of each title, with Peter Gray almost winning us over to the complex merits of Satin Island by Tom McCarthy. Polly Moss’s spirited promotion of the actual prize-winner, A History of Seven Killings by Marlon James was just short of taking the St Peter’s award, with Isabel Hedley’s description of heart-wrenching sorrow clinching the victory for A Little Life by Yana Yanagihara. Thanks to the English department and the pupils for a very entertaining evening.
Christmas Literature Quiz The traditional Christmas literature quiz continued in fine form this year, with music, mince pies and mulled wine to wind down 2015. Five rounds quizzing the obscure and classic elements of literature tested everyone to the limit, including the staff team who fought bravely but could not match the expertise of the pupils. A closely-fought battle saw School house finally break the winning streak of previous champions Grove. The questions were delivered with great charisma by our quiz master, Ed Kettleborough, who took to the role perfectly.
World Book Day, March 2016 Tom Harper In honour of World Book Day, we were fortunate to be able to hold a Literary Lunch with special guest, Tom Harper, courtesy of Mrs Anderson. An invited audience from the Literary Society, Keystone, the library committee and staff book group gathered together to hear about Tom’s journey to publication: from entering a competition in his youth to the continued book deals thereafter, Tom was able to give us an insight into the experiences of an established author and the research required to write his adventurous thrillers.
Tanya Landman Carnegie-winning author Tanya Landman visited us for a day in March and provided lectures for our third-form pupils along with pupils from St Olave’s, and a creative writing workshop for selected fourth-form pupils. Tanya talked about how she became a writer, and discussed the issues faced in her Carnegie Prize-winning title The Buffalo Soldier. The creative writing workshop gave pupils the opportunity to start their own story, with the prompt of ‘the moments following a dramatic occurrence.’
Literary Lunch Lee Harrison With the launch of the ‘literary lunch’ series on World Book Day, we invited new author Lee Harrison for a lunch in the library with staff and pupils. Lee gave us a very entertaining guide to today’s publishing challenges, the benefits of working with a smaller press – such as being able to design your own book cover – and the commitment it has taken to become a published author. We look forward to reading Lee’s debut novel in September.
Duke of Edinburgh Award Congratulations to the pupils who volunteered in the library as part of achieving their Duke of Edinburgh awards.
Library Committee 2016 The library received great support from our library committee members over the past year, with particular enthusiasm for our Waterstones visit. Thank you all very much for your contributions. Mrs Amy Wong
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The Peterite 2015-2016
