Year of Reading Closed

Sadly, we have now finished our Year of Reading. Happily, however, we have a new Library Blog which will give you all the up to date news of Library Events, lots of other information and some nice widgets.
Visit the New Library Blog at http://library.nottinghamhighblogs.net/.

Year of Reading Sponsored Read

Look out for our Year of Reading Sponsored Read event. Commencing in June, the Readathon raises money for two childrens charities; Clic Sergent and The Roald Dahl Foundation. Every one is welcome to join, whether reading one book or twenty! www.readathon.org

The Whole School Read

Many teachers participated in the Whole School Read for World Book Day. This involved starting or finishing their lesson, regardless of their subject, with a five minute piece of the Sherlock Holmes story The Man with the Twisted Lip. The story starts with a graphic description of a Victorian opium den. The response was very positive and students and staff alike enjoyed the break from routine and the chance to acknowledge the important part a good read plays in their lives.

The Upper School Library was taken over briefly at lunchtime for the World Book Day Literary Challenge. Two mixed teams of pupils and teachers tested their reading knowledge, memory and their speed on the button in an exciting and often hilarious University Challenge type quiz. Despite a slow start the winning team of Mr S.Reid, Mrs Costante, James Harrison and Robert Jackson beat by a very small lead Mrs Robinson, Mr Hortor, Samuel Steel and Richard Hill. Many thanks to all four volunteers who provided the entertainment along with Mr Grant the quiz master. Great fun!

World Book Day March 4th

World Book Day took on a special significance in this, our Year of Reading. The acclaimed author Eleanor Updale visited the Library and led a crime writing workshop with Year 8. Her Montmorency novels follow the thrilling escapades and double life of ex convict-spy Montmorency aka gutter thief Scarper, through Victorian London. She told us of her love of research for the books, even having a tour of the London sewers to get the plot as authentic as possible. She also mentioned the modern day coincidences that have left her nervous that she has foretold the death of the Queen later this year.

Popular author Chris d'Lacey visiting in January

On January 21st 2010, our New Year YOR events kick off with the ever popular Chris d'Lacey. Chris will be giving a talk and running a short workshop with Year 7 but will be available to meet at lunchtime in the School Library. Books will be available for purchase and for signing. Leicester-based Chris has written over 21 books including the five book Dragon series.

Beverley Naidoo comes to the High School

On 5th November 2009, the High School was delighted to welcome Dr Beverley Naidoo. Awarded the prestigious Carnegie Award for her novel The Otherside of Truth, Naidoo has written many novels, plays and short stories for young people which explore the lives of children on the African sub-continent and the lives of Asylum seekers in the UK. Her themes of racial intolerence and injustice are as relevent to our lives today as they were when Apartheid was the law of South Africa. Naidoo talked about the personal and political motivation behind her work, and also about the experience and process of writing. Year 9 undertook a writing workshop led by her during the afternoon and many books were bought and signed for other members of the school during the lunch break. She was an inspiring visitor.