Tag Archives: reading

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Book Week Scotland

Calderhead High School celebrated Book Week Scotland in style this year. This is an annual celebration of reading and this year the theme was “Blether”. Twenty S1 and S2 pupils were awarded tickets to the Blether Bistro in the Library on 21st November to reward their hard work and progress in class. They were treated to a cup of hot chocolate and biscuits while they enjoyed reading their books in the library.

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Pupils also participated in a creative writing competition and there were many excellent entries – it was very difficult choosing the eventual winners. Congratulations to Ryan in S1 and Bailey in S2. Well done to our runners up, Macy and Chloe in S1 and Neve and Carla in S2.

There was also a Book Blether in the Library on 20th November at lunchtime, where everyone was asked to talk about their favourite book, and, inspired by the Scottish Book Trust’s twitter challenge, the book group created a book domino run in the library at lunchtime on Friday.

 

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Author Visit Alex Scarrow

Author Alex Scarrow

Author Alex Scarrow visited Calderhead High School on Friday, 13th September 2019 and spoke to  S1 pupils about his writing and treated them to a reading from the first book in his Time Rider series. 

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Alex then conducted a workshop with older pupils studying English and Media, and shared a fascinating insight into the structure of films, which can also be used for writing books and stories.

This  visit was part of North Lanarkshire Council’s Read to Succeed initiative, funded by the Scottish Attainment Challenge. This affords every S1 pupil, in all of the North Lanarkshire schools, an opportunity to attend an author event, where they hear about the author’s books and the inspiration behind their writing. Author visits inspire and encourage  pupils to read and to write creatively.  

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Author Visit – John Young

Award-winning author, John Young visited Calderhead High School on 30 May 2019. John’s first novel, Farewell Tour of a Terminal Optimist, won the Scottish Teenage Book Prize earlier this year.

This novel tells the story of Connor and Skeates who make their way across Scotland to visit Connor’s father in HMP Shotts. We successfully applied to the First Minister’s Reading Challenge for funding to hold creative workshops with our S3 pupils and were delighted that John agreed to come along to the school to speak to our S3 pupils about his book.

John also held a creative writing workshop with Mrs Galloway’s S3 English class and discussed the writing process and his inspirations with them. The class are currently enjoying reading the book and at least one pupil remarked that it was the best book they have ever read! Special mention to Megan who could not resist reading ahead to find out what happened next but has promised not to give any spoilers.

Thanks must go to the First Minister’s Reading Challenge and the Scottish Book Trust for funding these events and to author John Young for his excellent talks.

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World Book Day 2019

Happy World Book Day!
Martin Stewart

We started our celebrations earlier this week when author Martin Stewart came into speak to our S2 pupils on Monday. Martin gave a great talk about how he became a writer and the inspiration for his books, before reading an extract from his latest novel, “The Sacrifice Box”.  This visit was part funded by the Scottish Book Trust as part of their Live Literature programme.

World Book Day 2019
World Book Day 2019

World Book Tokens are being distributed to all the pupils in the school and are available to uplift from the Library. Here are just some of the £1 World Book Day books you can ‘buy’ with your token, as well as using it to get £1 off a full price book.

We are also running a World Book Day competition. This year the prize will go to the funniest joke and the best book review about a funny book. The competition closes next Friday (Red Nose Day).

Information from school

Book Week Scotland

BWS logoNext week Book Week Scotland is taking place from Monday 19 – Sunday 25 November 2018 and Calderhead High School are hosting many exciting activities to celebrate.

The English department are running a sponsored Readathon for all S1-S2 pupils. Let’s see how many books they can read over the course of the week! Please click here for more information.

On Tuesday, 20th November 30 pupils will receive an award to attend the ‘Book Bistro’ where they will have the opportunity to read as they sip on hot chocolate with marshmallows. This is for S1 and S2 pupils who we think have made significant progress in reading, are avid readers or have shown signs of sustained effort in Literacy. Congratulations to all who are selected. We’ll also be announcing the winners of our ‘Rebel’ creative writing contest.

On Wednesday, 21st November we have our weekly Comic Book Club running, and will be talking about some of our excellent Scottish comic book and graphic novelists.

On Thursday, 22nd November we are hosting a ‘Drop Everything and Read’ event. This is open to all classes across all subjects – ask your teacher if you are taking part in their subject. Pupils can read books, comics, revision notes, class textbooks … the aim is to get as many pupils reading in as many subjects as we can whilst learning at the same time. More information is available at http://www.dropeverythingandread.com/ for more information.
There will also be a reading lunch for S3-S6 in the library that will be ticketed for quiet reading time, all senior pupils are welcome to come along and read.

On Friday, 23rd November there will be a special Scottish book group meeting at lunchtime, all welcome.

If you would like to read more about Book Week Scotland, please click here: http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-week-scotland

Happy reading everyone !
The English department and Irene Lumsden (Librarian)
Calderhead High School

Readathon Letter
Readathon letter
Information from school

World Book Day

Happy World Book Day!

Thursday, 2nd March is World Book Day – a huge celebration of authors, illustrators, books and reading in schools, libraries and homes in over 100 countries. World Book Day is the world’s biggest annual celebration of reading – and 2017 marks its 20th anniversary.

Pupils at Calderhead High School marked World Book Day this year by participating in a book quiz. Congratulations to Mrs Johnston’s S3 Maths class who answered all the questions correctly in the shortest time.

World Book day Tree
WBD Tree

The library assistants also created a beautiful book tree, designed by Heather in S3. Pupils and staff have been noting their favourite books and authors on paper ‘leaves’ and adding them to the tree.

 

World Book Day
WBD Tokens

Pupils were also issued with World Book day tokens which they can take to their local bookseller or participating supermarket and swap for one of the special World Book Day books or use to get £1 off any full price book instead.

Pupils can redeem their World Book day tokens online through the Scholastic Book Club. This is a great way for pupils and their parents and carers to choose books together and features a wide range of titles with prices starting from just £2.99. You also help to support our school – every £1 you spend will earn 20p for our school in Scholastic Rewards.

There’s never any obligation to order but if you would like to buy anything, you can order online and pay  by credit or debit card and don’t forget to enter the number of World Day Book tokens at the checkout to claim your £1 off.

If you choose ‘school delivery’ you will benefit from free post and packing to the school – please remember to add the pupil’s name and class. The books will then be delivered to the school and given to your child.

 

Information from school, news

Readathon

Pupils in S1 and S2 are taking part in a Readathon to raise money for new books and equipment for the English Department. The event will run in school the week beginning Monday 10th October and pupils will be encouraged to continue to read at home during the October holiday (Monday 17th to 21st October).

Sponsorship forms have been issued and it is hoped that all our S1 and S2 pupils will take part and be sponsored by friends and family to raise funds. Pupils will also have the opportunity to win fabulous prizes! The Readathon will encourage reading in a fun and relaxed atmosphere and we would ask that you support our pupils.