The library is popular with quite a large number of pupils at  lunchtime. The size  and layout of the library means that different types of activity can take place. Due to the split lunch there can often be pupils in from class as well as those on their own time but few issues seem to arise from what could be a conflict of interests.

Those wanting to do individual studying, revision or other school work are able to use the study area on the upper floor, although some chose to use the much busier (and thus noisier) lower library. The ‘Reading Zone’ (fiction section) is set aside for pupils who want to read quietly and the computers, most of which are on one bench at the back of the library are available for pupils to browse the internet, play games or do school work. School work always has priority over leisure use and pupils know and accept this.

A number pupils regualrly play boards games such as chess, draughts, Connect4 and Mastermind and ‘Magic the Gathering’ card game is poopular with a handful of pupils.

A large team of Pupils Librarians often hang around, even when not on duty, but if they stand still too long they get a job. Quite often the diligent few will use their own initiative and go and do some shelving or tidy shelves. Each gets one issue desk and one (general) library duty a week.

We then get the social visitors! Now these folk are accepted in the library and are allowed to chat quietly whilst seated at tables or in the journals section as long as they chat quietly 🙂  and don’t disturb other users or staff.

So, with the variety of things pupils are allowed to do, the library can be a veritable hub of activity allowing for a relaxed and hopefully fun atmosphere. To enable this to happen we do have lunchtime behaviour expectations and these are listed below:

🙂 WHY ARE YOU COMING TO THE LIBRARY AT LUNCHTIME?

• To do homework?
• Study, research, revision?
• Read books, magazines?
• Play Board Games?
• Use the computers?
• Use the Internet?
• Help the Librarian?

🙂You are expected to:

• Be seated in chairs
• Leave furniture where it is
• Chat quietly – social chat acceptable just don’t get too loud!
• Respect those who are doing school work
• Use the Reading Zone for personal reading

🙁 Don’t bother if you are going to:

• Just stand around or wander about
• Chat noisily
• Disturb other pupils or staff
• Crowd around computers

Christmas and New Year are over and we slithered through the ice and snow into school last Wednesday to start a new term. Pupils and staff are back into full swing and the library is readying for spring term of revising for exams, English folio deadlines, lots of research projects including the S1 History Ancient Civilisations investigation and the usual lots of class visits, lunchtime and afterschool activities.

Before the festive season is forgotten, I would like to share some lovely work that the Art and English Departments collaborated on for display at the School’s carol service held in the Stromness Church before Christmas, and currently on display in the canteen.

St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall around 4:30pm on 7th December 2009

It is that time of year when streets, shops, houses and our classrooms have become festooned in festive lights and decorations and today it was the school library’s turn.

At the beginning of period 3, a second year class arrived for their library period and were tasked with making a start on decorating the library. The main priority was the 4 (or 5, depending how you want to cound them) trees of varying sizes. Two groups set to decorating them, and the rest of the class had fun with paper chains, glitter, colouring in and making snowflakes. Over the course of the next few days the library decorations may well multiply.

Your erstwhile librarian, though, had managed to forget in all the Xmas fervour, despite the clear booking in the diary, that a research class was due in to the library. With a moment of intitial panic on how to accomodate two completely different types of activity, the decision was made to allow the S1 History class to use the Upper Library, normally the domain of senior pupils, as well as the computer area. There were also a few S6 AH English pupils in the Senior Fiction section working on their writing. The pupils all managed to focus on their particular activity or work very well and there was a lovely atmosphere in the place.

S1 History in the Upper Library

After much delay, frequent deliberation and browsing of the poetry display, and receiving comments from others who viewed the display, it has been decided that the following pupils will receive commendations for their excellent work.

A Rothnie; N Gunn; S Carmichael; S McGinley; S Yorston; J Rendall; L Alexander; C Harvey.

The favourite one was ‘Jean’ by N Gunn, which is about a well loved former music teacher at Stromness Academy.

The other poem which caught folks attention was  ‘Heroes’ by C Harvey:

They are so good in everyway

They help us get through everyday

You find them even far away

And what ever you do they’ll never stray.

They’ll help you through the bad and good

And always make the perfect food

These heroes are of a different kind

The kind of which you often find

In the supermarket or corner shop

A chocolate shop would be the first stop

These heroes are yum, yum, yum

And will always satisfy your tum.

Cadbury heroes is what this poem’s about.

Not the kind that scream and shout.

How long was it before you worked out what it was about? 🙂 Both NG and CH will be receiving a wee prize in due course.

The annual Poetry Picnic to celebrate National Poetry Day was held in the library on Thursday 8^th October at lunchtime. We are now in the 7^th year of running this event. It was a well attended event with over 50 pupils and 4 staff being present. It took the usual format with staff and pupils reading poems from a number of books set out on the table. The group activity involved a book of tongue twisters which we took turns reading from – last one standing won a stationery set. All pupils attending receive a certificate of attendance and those who helped received a commendation. Pens were given to pupils who participated by reading out poems.

Volunteers

Four Pupil Librarians were released from class at 12:00pm to help set up the event. This was very helpful and thanks must go to teaching staff for releasing them from class. The rest of the pupil team were given an extended lunch to enable them to help, taking on different roles including one second year boy who ably wielded a hoover to clear up food debris. A number of staff also popped in during the event.

Associated activities

Poem Writing: There was no formal poetry competition run this year, but several S1 and S2 English classes produced and amazing array of poems which are currently on display in the library.

Heroes & Heroines: 3 S2 English classes, during their library period and for homework produce and A4 information sheet on who the pupils’ hero or heroine is.

Display

The poems and ‘Heroes & Heroine’ posters are on display in the library and English corridor notice board.

Positives

• Involvement of pupils (Responsible citizens; confident individuals; effective contributors!)
• Setting up the event (working as a team)
• Reading the poems
• Raise profile for library
• Promotion of poetry and reading
• Improved social skills for pupils
• Enjoyable and fun

Evaluation

To get feedback from the participants, I placed a flip chart in the library and asked that they write their thoughts on it. Most comments were about the food with few useable comments that can be followed up on.

What did you enjoy about it?

The tongue twister competition.

Food

All of it

Tongue twisters were great. The food was awesome but we could do with more people that will read and not eat all the food. So earn you food by reading and taking part.

It was great fun

What improvements could we make?

Less healthy food

More popcorn

More food and games

The pupils and staff managed to raise £1400 over the course of three lunchtimes in the run up to the Children in Need day on Friday the 20th.  Congratulations should go to S6 for managing to pull off some great events, none the least managing to persuade an amazing number of pupils and staff  to wear fancy dress for the day.

On the Friday lunchtime, pupils in the library raised £22 by asking for a donation to play games on the Xbox 360. Great fun was had by all, including your erstwhile Librarian who pupils took great delight in ‘killing’ in the games. (Looks like I need more practice :-))

Music in the Foyer

XBox fans

Beware the Ninja creeping from behind!

The Stig (???)

Did you know there was a school song? This was printed in the first The Stromnessian in 1941.

FLOREAT STROMNESSIA

W.F. Ritchie A.M.

Nobis est amicus pontus,
Tacta nobis Boreas.
Habitamus Orcdenses
Insulas pulcherrimas.
Floreat Stromnessia,
Floreat in saecula!

Brencio colli tegente,
Sita est Stromnessia,
Pretum spectans ad Scapense
Gloria clarissimum
Floreat Stromnessia,
Floreat in saecula!

Scholam et muros laudemus
Traditos a patribus,
Unde nautae, professores,
Praeceptorem, medici
Floreat Stromnessia
Floreat in seacula!

Tibi Matri corda lacta
Offerunt discipuli,
Tibi fata haud inique,
Prosperos dies volunt.
Floreat Stromnessia,
Floreat in saecula!

A Free Verse Rendering of Stromness School Song

This isn’t a literal translation of the Latin version of the song above.

Our home is in the North,
The Ocean is our friend:
In the lovely Orcades
Our happy lives we spend.
Wish we our Academy
Honour without end!

“Brinkie’s” looms behind us:
Scapa lies before-
Scapa famed in story,
Famed in days of yore.
Wish we our Academy
Of happy days a store!

Reverence we the old Halls
By our Sires bequea thed:
Men of valiant deed.
Professors, Doctors, Teachers
And her sons indeed.

To our Alma Mater
Joyful hearts we raise.
Great success attend her,
Glory, honour, praise!
Wish we our Academy
Length of happy days.