April 23, 2013
by Mrs Sinclair
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The latest Cover to Cover leaflet is now available from the library. Orders can be placed through the library or online via the Scholastic website:
http://clubs-school.scholastic.co.uk/stromness-academy
April 22, 2013
by Mrs Sinclair
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If you are into the classic ghost story then Chris Priestley’s The Dead of Winter is the one for you.
Michael’s mother has died and he finds himself being sent to Hawton Mere, a moated house surrounded by marshes. He has become the ward of Sir Stephen Clarendon whose life was saved by Michael’s father, and his sister Charlotte. Michael resents this as his father had lost his life saving Sir Stephen. The house is old and along with it appears to be a ghost and strange eery noise, which only Michael appears to be able to see or hear. TO escape the unravelling horrors, Michael finds comfort in the old library.
The library contained more books than I think I had ever seen in one place. I had discovered my enjoyment of reading during my mother’s illness. Before that I had never really understood the appeal – or indeed the purpose – of reading for pleasure, but I now found that I could spend hours with no other diversion than the solitary exercise of reading a book, and by the vehicle of those pages would be transported to faraway lands on fantastic adventures. More and more this love of reading had become a medicine and tonic for my troubled heart and mind.
The easy going style belies the underlying horrors that appear to await Michael. It has echoes of Susan Hill’s Woman in Black – the same isolated location and an apparent malign spirit, which would be a good follow on book if you want to do some more challenging reading along the same theme.
March 26, 2013
by Mrs Sinclair
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Coming soon:
March 11, 2013
by Mrs Sinclair
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Last week was a very busy week with several things happening over the course of the week and class bookings were aplenty including those for World Maths Day on the Wednesday.
The main event of the week was World Book Day. In the run up to it, pupils in S1 and S2 were given the chance to look design book marks for a competition. Most made an attempt but only a handful entered. The closing date is at the end of March for the school competition, the prize being and Easter Egg.
Stromness Books and Prints kindly let us have several boxes of books, including the specially written £1.00 books, to offer for sale in the Peedie Book Fair. These all went down well with pupils who used their £1 WBD tokens to purchase or go towards books.
The lunchtime book reading event was attended by around 20 pupils over the course of the break. They enjoyed the snacks provided and several read out extracts of their favourite books. Choices included: Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Animal Farm, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, Diary of a Wimpey Kid, The Hobbit, and Twilight.
There was also a display of the librarian’s childhood favourites (the actual books), including a 105 year old copy of Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty, who shared extracts from Elidor and The Black Stallion. There were also some staff favourites displayed too.
Some Pupil Comments:
“Brill!” AM, S3
“It was a very interesting time.” DB, S2
“It was good.” PR, S2
“It’s good having food and stuff like anything to do with literacy.” AL, S2
“Amazing.” JL, S2
“I liked discussing about different books. I enjoyed myself thoroughly.” IL, S5
“Perfect! Good fun. Yummy food.” BC, S5
February 27, 2013
by Mrs Sinclair
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It is World Book Day time of year again and there are a few things happening in the library this year.
Readings from favourite books will take place on Thursday 7th March at lunchtime. Snacks will be available.
Pupils will be offered free £1 book tokens to use at local bookshops, the ‘Peedie Book Fair’ or in the C2C Book club catalogue (see below)
There is a national Bookmark Competition which pupils can enter.
There is a local writing competition Young Orkney Writers, led by the Orkney Library (see previous posts)
There will be a ‘Peedie Book Fair‘ kindly supported by Stromness Books & Prints who will kindly be supplying a small amount of books for sale. The £1 book tokens can be used at this.
The C2C Book club leaflet is being currently offered to pupils. They can purchase books through the leaflet, via the school library, or online at
http://clubs-school.scholastic.co.uk/stromness-academy.
Further details for all these can be obtained directly from the Librarian.
February 22, 2013
by Mrs Sinclair
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For the second year in a row, we are follwoing this annual award originally set up by a school librarian in Sheffield. This award recognises excellence in the world of Graphic Novel and Manga publishing and is the only award which is judged by young people.
Eight Graphic Novels and Manga were shortlisted are all are now available in the school library for borrowing. Upon completion, all pupils are asked to do is fill in a brief rating form for each book they read which is available from the library or the award website resources page.
For further information about the award go to the Stan Lee Excelsior Award website.
February 22, 2013
by Mrs Sinclair
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There are currently a couple of competitions available for pupils to enter if they wish.
To mark World Book Day, there will be a book reading event in the library at lunchtime on Thursday 7th March. Pupils and staff can come along, partake of some snacks and read out extracts of favourite books.
February 13, 2013 by Mrs Sinclair | 1 Comment
Entry forms available from the school library (Ask Mrs Sinclair) or from Orkney Library staff (Stromness or Kirkwall) or from their website: Orkney Library
You can also download it: Young Orkney Writers entry form
January 30, 2013
by Mrs Sinclair
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It is hard to believe that were are already at the end of January. S4 Prelims have been and gone and S5 Prelims are due to start soon. February inservice and half term is next week – seems awfully soon! Weather has been mixed with snow in a small part of the West Mainland affecting one bus a week or so ago and storm force winds causing all school transport to be cancelled today. The school is quiet, yet the library is ‘busy’ in the sense of it is booked and the smaller classes are still coming to read, do research or use the computers.
The ’12 Words of Christmas’ competition presentation took place last week and our overall winner was from 2M. Her entry was forwarded to the national competition and was picked as a runner up by the author Anthony McGowan.
School results:
S1 – EW 1T The snowman looks sadly at the sky as streams of light emerge.
S2 – CM 2M The snow was whiter; the tree was brighter, when Santa was real.
S4/5/6 – IT Shimmering star sent startled shaggy shepherds, surprised, seeing sweet smiling sleeping son.
Staff – CM Shopping, cards, presents, decorating, concerts, cooking, parties, dancing, wrapping, cleaning. Knackered.
Two events / activities are currently planned for this term:
Pupils will be given an opportunity to read and judge graphic novels for the Stan Lee Excelsior Award. This award is a national one with pupils from many schools taking part. The graphic novels are now ready for borrowing and will be on display in the library. A Friday lunchtime group (with coffee or hot chocolate available) which is open to all who are interested, takes place from 12:45 – 1:15pm .
World Book Day is on Thursday 7th March. This is still in the planning stages, but it is hoped that there will be a lunchtim reading in the library. Free £1.00 book tokens will be available and can be exchanged for the special £1.00 books or used in part exchange for a full price book at local book shops. Plans also include a bookmark competition which ties in with a national one being run at the same time.
December 20, 2012
by Mrs Sinclair
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Many 12 word short stories have been submitted for this competition, particularly from S1 and S2.
Here is the short list which will be judged by local author V. M. Whitworth who wrote The Bone Thief, a rather good and enthralling “historical thriller” set in Anglo Saxon times.
Pupils
S1
Santa coming. Jingle bells ring. Stars twinkling. Children counting down the hours.
Snowball fight after rain. Hit him in the face. Bet that hurt!
Splat! Right in the face. He is angry. I go and hide.
I tiptoe gently across the frozen ice, snowflakes falling. CRACK! Very cold.
Pecking at worms in the ground. BANG! On the table. Christmas dinner.
The snowman looks sadly at the sky as streams of light emerge.
S2
The snow was whiter; the tree was brighter, when Santa was real.
Black boots touch the snow. Door opens. Lock clicks. Swiflty quickly gone.
I bought my Christmas tree for a fiver on a Thursday night.
Rattle, bang, clunk, thud, pop, SMASH! Should not have shook that present.
Here he comes. Santa has my Dad’s brown eyes… Wait a minute…
The snowball fight has consumed the playground sending the young kids scurrying.
*******************************************
S4/5/6
Shimmering star sent startled shaggy shepherds, surprised, seeing sweet smiling sleeping son.
Breaks into our house each year without keys. Santa Claus, housebreaker extraordinaire!
Smiling faces and having fun, winter’s now here and it’s only begun.
The Star of Bethlehem will guide us all to a happier Christmas.
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Staff
The Star, magi followed, Shepherds, Angels heralded, Revealing Love, In manger, born
Sledging… wheeeee. Frost stings my face. Crashing… Arrgh! Snow up my nose.
Christmas at the palace. The Duchess retches, William winces; the world watches.
One horse town; open all hours. Jingle sleigh for sale. Snow down.
“‘Twas a pair partridge, ye ken, hen? Lordy; milking it for gold!”
Kings follow the star. Shepherds look in delight. A celebration is born.
Reins, clutched in smutty gloves, flick reindeer suddenly heavenwards. Black anthracite descends.
Shopping, cards, presents, decorating, concerts, cooking, parties, dancing, wrapping, cleaning. Knackered now.
Last Christmas I gave you my heart. Then I dropped down dead.
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