Author Archives: J Wason

Celebrating World Book Day with Tawona Sithole

We were delighted to welcome poet, playwright and storyteller Tawona Sithole to celebrate World Book Day 2024 with S2 in the library!

Tawona delivered an incredibly fun and energetic workshop to help inspire creative writing. S2 were guided through several group activities to get the creative juices flowing before coming up with their own story ideas.

It was fantastic to see so much energy and enthusiasm from the class.

Thank you Tawona for giving us a World Book Day to remember.

Hekani!

Govan High World Book Day Trip

S1 had a wonderful time visiting Waterstones on Sauchiehall Street for their World Book Day reward trip.

Everyone spent the morning exploring the store (Scotland’s biggest!) and picking some new books to take home. The fantastic booksellers were on hand to show us round and make some brilliant book recommendations. We even had time to relax in the Waterstones cafe, enjoy a hot chocolate and make a start on our new reads.

The ideal way to get in the mood for World Book Day 2024.

Well done to our S6 Library Ambassadors!

This year we’ve established a fabulous group of Senior Library Ambassadors.

Ten of our S6s have been devoting some of their own time to help in the library and promote reading throughout the school.

As well as learning new skills, organising competitions and lunchtime clubs, the group have been acting as mentors to our S1s through the Paired Reading project and during library class visits.

Volunteering in the library contributes to our whole school Citizenship initiative and our application for Reading Schools accreditation with the Scottish Book Trust. Two of our Library Ambassadors are also completing an SQA Leadership Award.

Thank you to everyone for your hard work in making sure the library is right at the heart of Hillpark!

Hillpark Library Refurb!

It may have taken us a while but it was well worth the wait…

2023 has been a huge year as the Library refurbishment was finally completed!

We now have brand new comfy furniture, shiny new shelves, awesome artwork and stunning signage.

Mr Wason is particularly chuffed with his smart new desk.

Feedback from young people and staff has been fantastic; especially for our showpiece Southside Mural. We asked the talented designers for a Glasgow skyline with bright bold colours and a focus on the Southside of the city. The end result incorporates Hampden Park, Pollok House, Bellahouston Park and a view towards the city, featuring famous landmarks like the Finnieston Crane and Squinty Bridge.

It’s been a pleasure seeing the reaction from classes as the refurbishment has taken shape. We can’t wait for everyone to continue enjoying the new Hillpark Library in 2024.

A special thank you to everyone from The Design Concept for all your help and advice.

 

The Library Young Team

We’re delighted to announce a brand new writing project starting in January 2024.

Govan High Library are teaming up with multiple award winning Scottish authors Graeme Armstrong, Alan Bissett and Brian Conaghan. Each author will be visiting our S4s to chat about their experiences of Scottish gang culture and how this has influenced their writing.

With the help of Graeme, Alan and Brian, S4 will also have the opportunity to work on writing stories of their own.

We can’t wait to get started!

Govan High Reading Olympics

As we count down towards the end of term we’ve been celebrating the outstanding reading achievements of our wonderful S1s.

Our four S1 classes have all been taking part in the Govan High Reading Olympics. Pupils are rewarded with Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for reading books from the library throughout the year.

Mr Wason and Mrs Belford made a surprise visit to English classes to hand over certificates and congratulate everyone for their effort. WELL DONE S1!!!

Due to the phenomenal participation in the this years Reading Olympics we’ve made the decision to create a brand new Platinum award. The Platinum award will go to pupils who have read over TWENTY books during S1.

Looking forward to handing over lots more awards next term!

Govan High Waterstones Trip!

As part of our World Book Day 2023 celebrations, S1 visited Silverburn Waterstones with Mr Wason and Miss Park for a tour round the store and to pick up some brand new books.

Waterstones’ brilliant Booksellers were on hand to help everyone find what they were looking for. The books we chose included everything from The Hunger Games, Percy Jackson and David Walliams, to books about World War II, football and Manga. The Manga section especially proved to be huge hit!

Big thanks to the Waterstones staff, Kenny, Sally and Michael for welcoming us to the store. We can’t wait to come back!

Glasgow School Libraries eMagazine

The Spring edition of Swatch is now here! The new edition of our Glasgow School Libraries eMagazine features a fab interview with our very own author, Melissa Cassidy. Pupils from Hillpark asked Mel about her inspiration for writing a book, the process for getting it published, and what advice she has for young aspiring writers. The eMag is also packed full of book reviews, author interviews, pupil contributions, and all the latest news from schools across Glasgow. Check it out here: https://online.fliphtml5.com/kukmo/hjud/#p=1

Mel’s New Book!

Our very own Melissa Cassidy in S4 is now a published author! Doodle the Poodle’s Big Day Out is a fantastic story for young children about inclusion and equality. Mel decided to write the book as she felt there wasn’t enough diversity in children’s books. Congratulations on a wonderful achievement Mel!  You can find out more here:  https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1158312719/doodle-the-poodles-big-day-out