Author Archives: Anais Cayzac

Merry Grinchmas?! @St Mungo’s library

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The holiday spirit was alive and well at St. Mungo’s this year, as the library was magically transformed into a whimsical Grinch Land, thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of our library assistants and a team of extra festive “Elves.” With every corner decked out in green-and-red cheer, the space captured the mischievous charm of the Grinch while radiating the warmth and joy of Christmas.

A Creative Journey to Grinch Land

Turning the library into a holiday wonderland was a school-wide effort that brought students together in the spirit of collaboration and creativity. Students of all ages pitched in to design and decorate, bringing their artistic flair and love for Christmas to life. From hanging Grinch-themed ornaments and stringing up colorful fairy lights to painting oversized cutouts of the Grinch and Whoville signs, the library became a festive masterpiece.

A Festive Scavenger Hunt for S1 and S2 Classes

The younger students, particularly those in S1 and S2 classes, were treated to a week-long Christmas scavenger hunt within the library. This activity not only added a touch of adventure to the season but also encouraged students to explore the library and interact with its many resources.

The scavenger hunt was packed with holiday goodies like candy canes, chocolates, and small Grinch-themed prizes, making it a cherished memory for everyone involved.

The Joy of the Season

St. Mungo’s Library has always been a hub of learning and community, but this holiday season, it became so much more—a place where students and staff could share in the joy and magic of Christmas together. Whether it was decorating, scavenger hunting, or simply soaking in the holiday atmosphere, Grinch Land brought smiles to faces young and old.

As the term comes to a close, one thing is clear: the students of St. Mungo’s have a special knack for embracing the Christmas spirit, even if it comes with a Grinchy twist. Here’s to more festive fun and creative celebrations in the years to come!

Book week Scotland @St Mungo’s Academy

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Celebrating Book Week Scotland in Our School Library

Last week, our school library was alive with excitement as we celebrated Book Week Scotland with a variety of engaging activities. From themed library visits to creative projects and lunchtime events, students had plenty of opportunities to explore the theme of hope in inspiring and imaginative ways.

Exploring Hope Through Stories

During their library visits, S1 and S2 students how the concept of hope is portrayed in stories. They reflected on these themes and wrote down their own hopes and wishes for the future—whether for themselves, their families, or the planet. The students also read three texts from the Book Week Scotland collection, chose their favorite, and brought their creativity to life by designing imaginative book covers for their selected stories.

Members of the “Storytelling for Wellbeing” club took Book Week Scotland beyond the library walls, roaming the school to interview readers about their reading habits. They captured insightful and inspiring responses, which I compiled into a final video showcasing the diverse ways reading enriches lives. This initiative highlighted the importance of storytelling in fostering connection and wellbeing.

A Lighthouse of Hopes

Our library assistant created a stunning Book Week Scotland display, complete with a lighthouse as a central feature. Students’ “stars of hope filled with their written wishes, were added to the lighthouse’s beams of light, symbolizing hope shining brightly for all to see.

The Jar of Hopes

The “Reading Buddies” group also contributed to the celebrations by writing heartfelt messages of hope, which were placed into the library’s “Jar of Hopes.” This simple yet meaningful activity added a personal touch to the week’s events, reminding everyone of the power of hope to inspire and connect us.

Lunchtime Fun: Quizzes and Lanterns

Lunchtimes were buzzing with activity as students participated in a fun quiz and got hands-on with lantern-making. These creative moments allowed students to engage with the theme of hope in a relaxed and enjoyable setting, while fostering a sense of community.

A Week to Remember

Book Week Scotland in our school library was a wonderful celebration of storytelling, creativity, and hope. The activities not only encouraged students to think deeply about the theme but also provided them with opportunities to express their thoughts and dreams in imaginative ways. A big thank you everyone who participated and helped make this week so memorable!

We can’t wait to see what next year’s Book Week Scotland brings! 🌟

The Collaborative Jigsaw Table: A Space for Mindfulness and Growth

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The Collaborative Jigsaw Table has become a versatile and impactful resource across year groups. For our S6 pupils, this table offers a refreshing mental break from the pressures of academic life, providing a mindful activity that reduces stress and supports their overall well-being during challenging times. For BGE (Broad General Education) pupils, the 1000-piece jigsaw represents a collaborative yet achievable the value of breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps—a skill that translates to their wider studies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It has been particularly rewarding to see students set aside their phones during lunch to focus on the jigsaw, showing their growing interest in activities that promote focus, patience, and teamwork. Through this engaging task, pupils are developing valuable skills, such as spatial and visual reasoning, concentration, and perseverance. These skills not only enhance their approach to academics but also foster a positive attitude toward tackling difficult tasks across all subjects.

The Collaborative Jigsaw Table is more than a puzzle—it’s a space for mindfulness, growth, and a reminder of the power of persistence.

Reading buddies program @St Mungo’s academy

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Our “Reading Buddies” program at St. Mungo’s Academy Library, developed in partnership with the Support for Learning and RE departments, continues to make a wonderful impact! This program pairs senior pupils with BGE pupils, providing a supportive environment to build confidence and strengthen literacy skills in reading, writing, and spelling.

Each week, senior pupils meet with their younger reading buddies in the library, working with resources and activities I’ve curated specifically for this program. Through these sessions, senior pupils mentor their buddies, fostering a love of reading and building meaningful connections across year groups.

We’re thrilled to see the dedication and progress from all participants and look forward to the continued success of “Reading Buddies” throughout the school year!

 

Halloween murder mystery @St Mungo’s

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Breaking News: Grisly Scene Uncovered in St. Mungo’s Library

In the early hours of October 31st, a horrific discovery was made within the quiet walls of St. Mungo’s school library. A staff cleaner stumbled upon the bodies of two individuals, both apparently victims of a gruesome death. The disturbing find has sent shockwaves through the school and local community.

Victim 1

Victim 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It took a full week for a dedicated team of young investigators to make sense of the chaotic scene and identify the victims. Numerous clues were uncovered at the scene, each more perplexing than the last, adding layers of mystery to an already chilling case. Glasgow police, who deployed their top specialists, meticulously examined these clues to determine what led to this tragic event and to provide answers and closure to the grieving families.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the complete story, listen to the full audio report:

Special Thanks

A huge thank you to our BGE talented pupils for their creative contributions:

  • Designing and setting up the murder scenes
  • Writing the story that brought the mystery to life
  • All the enthusiastic S1-S2 investigators for their spirited participation

And a final, heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Carson, our dedicated art teacher, for bringing the story to life with her spooky reading.

 

Staff book club @St Mungo’s academy

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This year, the library is excited to host a staff book club! Once a month, members of staff come together to discuss a chosen book in a relaxed and friendly setting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In our first session, we spent time talking about the kinds of books we enjoy and shared ideas for future reads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The winning choice was Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. After reading the book, we reconvened to talk about its powerful themes of loss, family, and identity. To balance the emotional depth of the story, we enjoyed some Korean snacks, which tied in beautifully with the book’s cultural elements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The session was a great success, with everyone enjoying both the conversation and the refreshments. For our next meeting, the group unanimously chose Intermezzo as our next book to explore. We’re all looking forward to another thoughtful discussion!

 

 

Welcome to St Mungo’s Danielle Jawando!

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Scottish Friendly Children's Book Tour with Danielle Jawando - Scottish Book Trust

St. Mungo’s school library had the honor of hosting author Danielle Jawando as part of the Scottish Friendly Children’s Book Tour, organized by the Scottish Book Trust.

S2 pupils enjoyed an inspiring presentation where Danielle shared her journey to becoming a writer. She guided them through the creative writing process, explored the sources of her inspiration, emphasized the importance of representing diverse stories and characters, and offered valuable insights into the journey of getting a book published. The pupils were captivated throughout, asking thoughtful and insightful questions that demonstrated their genuine interest.

The event concluded with a special opportunity for pupils to interact with Danielle personally creating a memorable and meaningful experience for all involved.

She even signed her library books!

St Mungo’s academy school library timetable is out!!

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The 2024-25 library timetable is finally set, and it looks like St Mungo’s school library is in for a busy year!

I’m thrilled to share that this year, the after-school D&D/RPG club will be fully pupil-led and is even expanding to include an additional group focused on Warhammer!

Lunchtimes in the library are as busy as ever, with around 50 pupils engaged in a variety of activities. They might be reading a book, working on a collaborative jigsaw, joining a club, or contributing to the next display!

Welcome back @St Mungo’s!

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St Mungo’s Library was delighted to welcome back our returning pupils and greet the fresh faces of our new S1 pupils!

We kicked off with engaging library inductions, where pupils learned about all the exciting activities and clubs they can participate in at their school library—from lunchtime fun to a variety of library clubs.

 

At the end of each library induction, S1 pupils received their very own library cards at no cost, granting them free access to reading materials, library clubs, and more! This initiative is a key part of our effort to address the literacy gap by empowering pupils to become informed and literate citizens.

 

 

 

Summer fun @St Mungo

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This summer, your librarian has been busy preparing for the new school year with a lot of exciting activities. I attended some fantastic training sessions to discover new and unique ways to create stories. One of the highlights was a workshop organized by Markie, my fantastic colleague from Shawlands! She demonstrated how to use tarot cards as a creative tool, helping us explore new ways to inspire and develop fresh narrative ideas. I’m thrilled to bring these innovative techniques into our library programs and make creative writing even more engaging for everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve also been working on some exciting new projects, like planning future author visits. Stay tuned—you’ll be hearing more about that soon!

And of course, I’ve been getting the library all set for the new year by weeding out old books and cataloguing new ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the library!