11 March, 2020
On World Book Day, on 5 March, schools across the UK and Ireland were asked to join the reading revolution and share a million stories. Across the Trust, many of our schools, both primary and secondary, did just that and celebrated the day by dressing up and filling the day with a whole host of activities.
Pupils and staff alike, at Ormiston Venture Academy, showcased their weird and wonderful imaginations by dressing up as their favourite characters. The academy was filled with characters from fairy stories, Roald Dahl books and Greek mythology. There was even a reinvention of Agatha Christie’s Poirot. When asked about the day, one Year 9 student said: “World book day was amazing, it brings everyone’s love of books to life. I dressed as Rose from Princess of the Midnight Ball which is a book l have read at least three times!”
At Ormiston Venture Academy, Siobhan Sweeney, English Teacher and Leader of Literacy, said: “To see our students so excited about books is indescribable. Here at Venture we are tenacious in our efforts to promote a love of reading, not only during the school day but equally, outside the academy walls. World Book Day is just one of the ways in which we promote reading for pleasure, and it is fantastic to see so many students passionate about the magnificent world of books.”
It was a colourful scene at Packmoor Ormiston Academy too, with every crayon being the brightest in the box. The theme was “The Day the Crayons Quit” – a book written by Drew Daywalt. The whole school took part with each class adopting a crayon colour from the book, and some even took the opportunity to don their sequins. Now, we all know crayons can’t be without their container and Principal Sharon May fulfilled that role by wearing a custom-made, all-encasing crayon box. But it wasn’t all fancy dress, books took centre stage with the whole school asking for donated books or money to buy more books. So far, the school has received over 300 donated books from parents/carers and raised £216 with still more to come!
Staff at Ormiston Horizon Academy were replaced for the day with an array of book characters, which made lessons more interesting, when students were being taught by the Mad Hatter and the BFG. Everyone across the school was treated to activities, not just for one day but throughout the week, ranging from library competitions to tutor group quizzes. On the day itself staff held a “Quotation Quest” where students had to figure out book quotes in order to receive a chocolaty treat.
Directory of Literacy, Holly Jukes said: “I’ve had students running to me throughout the day, they really got into the festivities.”
Adding to their already jam-packed week, students had the pleasure of meeting author Paula Rawsthorne. The author went into classrooms to teach students the importance of writing and telling stories. She even parted with some of her valuable skills, teaching students how to write a great story. Horizon clearly showed they already have some budding authors!
As a Trust we fully endorse World Book Day’s manifesto of “Reading is Power” and we believe that by empowering young people to talk passionately and confidently about books it will inspire them.
By 6 March, an incredible one million stories were shared, with still more to come before the 29 March.
Category: News
Tags: Ormiston Horizon Academy, Ormiston Venture Academy, Packmoor Ormiston Academy, Reading, World Book Day 2020
