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Walthamstow School for Girls

LRC News

Here you can find news on events and activities that have taken place in the Learning Resource Centre

Waterstones Bookshop visit 

On Friday 2nd of July, a group of students were invited on a trip to Waterstones Bookshop in The Mall, Walthamstow. 

Riona has kindly written an article about the trip.

Honestly, I loved the trip. I loved how when we were in the bookshop, Simon gave us a little tour of the shop. They had poetry, drama, fiction, non-fiction and lots more topics of books to read. I also liked the way that Simon gave us a little task to do. He said the name of the book, and we had to go around and look for the book. For example, he said "The Inspector Calls" and we had to find the book. Then after a couple of rounds we were allowed to find one of our own books to take home and read. I took home this book called "The Other Black Girl". It's about this girl who gets a new job. But while there she gets sent threatening notes, so she has to find out who sent them.

After we left Waterstones, we made our way to a café and Miss Kelly brought us some hot chocolate and while we were waiting she gave us an amazing opportunity to start reading our books. Personally, I loved it because we got to read and choose a new book.

Riona 7S

As you can see in the photographs, we all enjoyed reading our books, and we would like to thank the students for making it a wonderful trip, Tsion and Aleeya 7C, Riona and Chlorie 7S and Sumayya, Mahida, Alia and Pinar 7H.

We will also pass on a big thank you to the staff at Waterstones, who hosted the trip. 

We hope everyone enjoys their books over the summer holidays.

Ms Kelly and Ms Lamprell

 

 

Things to do during the summer with a book ... 

Challenge yourself with the following ideas. You can write book reviews on the LRC system - https://www.readingcloud.net/ or send in selfies of you reading a book which will be displayed in the LRC after the summer holidays.  

Have a really wonderful summer.  

Ms Kelly
LRC Manager  

          

 

Scottish Witches 

For those students who enjoyed the talk about Scottish Witches by Dr Ciaran Jones as part of our International Women's Day celebrations, you may also want to watch the BBC documentary by Lucy Worsley. 

Click here to watch the show which was first shown on 19 June 2022.

Ms Kelly
LRC Manager

Year 9 Reader Leaders 

  

YEAR 9 STUDENTS - BECOME A READER LEADER IN 2022 

Would you like to help younger students to catch up with their reading? 

We are looking for students who are willing to lead one-to-one reading sessions. You will be meeting your reader for half an hour once a week. During these sessions you will be helping to choose books, explaining new vocabulary and encouraging them to enjoy reading. 

You will receive training and it will give you the opportunity to try out new skills and help the younger students form links outside their year group. 

If you are interested, grab a form from the LRC and return by Friday 24.6.22 to Ms Kelly in the LRC. 

Represent 

 

Represent is a 10 -week programme for selected students in KS3. The aims of the programme are to support these students with their: 

  • communication skills 

  • healthy relationships 

  • resilience  

  • wellbeing  

The programme uses inspirational texts, relatable role models and real issues to equip students with the confidence to engage in meaningful discussion. They can also take books home to continue reading at their leisure! 

The texts look at representing people with different opinions and how the students can represent their views (even if they don’t agree with them).  

Here is an example of one of the activities: 

1. 2. Is being cruel to animals as bad as being cruel to humans?  

3. Should female sportspeople be paid as much as men?  

The sessions encourage a range of speaking and listening skills and positive peer relationships.  

The programme has been launched and we were impressed by the students’ engagement with their first text this week on social media. Keep it up! 

Ms Lamprell, Assistant Headteacher & Mrs Kelly, LRC Manager 

 

World Book Night 

You're invited to join us on 23 April for a night of celebrating stories! We'll be live at the British Library with our host Bobby Seagull and special guests Dr Alex George, Ayisha Malik, Lemn Sissay and Dreda Say Mitchell. They'll be talking about what inspires them to share their stories, and the stories that have shaped their lives. This is an evening you won't want to miss!

You can watch this hybrid event either in-person at the British Library or online from around the world. Find out more and get your ticket now.

 

Register for your ticket

 

 

 

World Book Day 

https://literacytrust.org.uk/about-us/world-book-day-national-literacy-trust/?mc_cid=a1651e5a6d&mc_eid=bcebe5908e

All of our students will be receiving their £1 World Book Day tokens which are valid from 17th February until 27th March 2002. To find out about activities that you can enjoy at home, click on the website.

O Kelly, LRC.

WBD Logo - 25th Birthday small.png

March Book Club 

Your March Book Club is here! You can order through the LRC, pay via sQuid or go direct to the Scholastic website. You can also use your £1 World Book Day Voucher.

Ms Kelly, LRC

https://shop.scholastic.co.uk/bookclubs

The British Library - Through the Looking-Glass 

Join

When Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There was published in December 1871, readers climbed through a mirror into a strange reverse-logic world. It was here that Lewis Carroll introduced some of his most extraordinary characters and unforgettable verses, from Tweedledum and Tweedledee to Jabberwocky.

Enter a fantastical world of your own this month. Delve into the pages of Carroll’s archive in our Treasures Gallery, browse the Alice range in our shop, explore past events dedicated to the classic tale, and help support our future by adopting the book today.

Please click on the following link for more information: Join Alice through the looking glass (bl.uk)

Scholastic Book Club 

Overdue LRC Books 

ALL YEARS

Can you please return your overdue LRC books before the end of term.

Overdue books are regarded as Equipment Missing and are logged as a Behaviour point.

Ms Kelly
LRC Manager

 

 New Year New Books

Congratulations to all the students who started the new year and took an Accelerated Reader Book Quiz before the start of the new term.

8F Husna & Sahar

8S Tabitha 

7H Anna & Alessandra 

7F Greta

For those students who would like to get ideas about what their next book should be, try searching online for Book Reviews online. Here is one for you to start with - 

MY TOP 10 YA RECOMMENDATIONS! | Ashley's Lens - Bing video 

I look forward to seeing what books you are quizzing on and please contact me if you are having problems with accessing the AR website.

Mrs Kelly
LRC Manager

An Interview with Benjamin Zephaniah 

Benjamin Zephaniah speaks about his new book Windrush Child: 'We have to learn from the past'

Benjamin Zephaniah's new book Windrush Child is part of the Voices historical fiction series. He tells us about the book and why it's so important to learn your history, and learn it right...

To read or watch the interview, please click here.

Celebrating Diversity on Accelerated Reader
 

Did you know that there are over 38,000 quizzes on Accelerated Reader? That’s a lot of books to choose from! Here are some recent favourite AR titles.


Noughts & Crosses: The Graphic Novel Adaption by Malorie Blackman BL: 3.1 | Quiz # 230299 | Doubleday

In Sephy and Callum’s hostile world, Noughts and Crosses do not mix. But when their childhood friendship matures into passionate love, they are determined to find a way to be together.


Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties by Humza Arshad and Henry White BL: 4.3 | Quiz #238039 | Puffin

When aspiring rapper Humza Khan’s teachers begin to go missing, he soon realises some suspicious aunties are taking their place. [Contains profanities.]


Now or Never: A Dunkirk Story by Bali Rai BL: 5.0 | Quiz # 237769 | Scholastic Children’s Books

Private Fazal Khan is proud to be supporting the British in WW2. As events in France take a turn for the worse, the frightening retreat to Dunkirk becomes nothing compared to the betrayal he and his comrades face at the point of rescue. [Contains violence.]


The Boxer by Nikesh Shukla BL: 4.0 | Quiz # 236599 | Hodder Children’s Books

Sunny’s life changes the night he is attacked by racists in his new city. Stepping into a boxing gym, he finds the community he’s desperately been seeking. But racial tensions are rising and he begins questioning where his new friends stand.


Home Girl by Alex Wheatle BL: 4.0 | Quiz # 237567 | Atom

Naomi is a teenager growing up in the care system. When she’s placed with a loving West Indian family, her social worker tells her it’s only temporary. But Naomi is haunted by her dark past and struggles to stay out of trouble. [Contains strong language.]


“I Will Not Be Erased”: Our Stories About Growing Up as People of Colour by gal-dem writers Non-fiction | BL: 6.9 | 236484 |

Walker Books Gal-dem, the award winning online and print magazine, is created by women and non-binary people of colour. In this collection, gal-dem writers share their joyous, funny and life-affirming stories about growing up. [Contains drug use.]


Chinglish: An Almost Entirely True Story by Sue Cheung BL: 5.4 | Quiz # 237846 | Andersen Press

It’s 1984, and Jo Kwan’s family have just moved to Coventry. Can Jo achieve her dreams while dealing with annoying siblings, racism, bullies and drama? [Contains racist slurs, scenes of violence and abuse.]


A Change is Gonna Come by various authors BL: 5.1 | Quiz # 233433| Stripes

This anthology of stories and poetry are from BAME writers on the theme of change. Contributors include Tanya Byrne, Inua Ellams, Catherine Johnson, Patrice Lawrence, Ayisha Malik, Irfan Master, Musa Okwonga and Nikesh Shukla.


Kick the Moon by Muhammad Khan BL: 5.0 | Quiz # 238037 | Macmillan Children’s Books

Ilyas wants to create comic-book heroes, but instead he’s got GCSEs, troublemaker mates and work in his dad’s shop. Then he finds a kindred spirit in Kelly, but when she’s caught up in a toxic bet Ilyas must decide what kind of hero he wants to be.


Rose, Interrupted by Patrice Lawrence BL: 4.4 | Quiz # 237275 | Hodder Children’s Books

Rose and her brother have recently escaped a strict religious sect. Now they must learn how to handle the rules of their new life.

Waltham Forest Libraries Online Resources
 

Feeling Bored?

Then why not log onto Waltham Forest Libraries and access our online resources?

Waltham Forest Website

Waltham Forest Libraries Website

Zip Tales

Ziptales is an online literacy “library” designed for school, library, and home use. Ziptales has been a leader in the field of online literacy for more than 15 years.

It is based on the latest research about how children develop and sustain a love of reading. The Ziptales “library” was built by trained teachers with the express purpose of making reading a pleasurable and lifelong experience.

AR News - 6 July 2020 

 

AR News - 22 June 2020 

AR News - 31 May 2020 

 

Accelerated Reader Quizzers 

 

Waltham Forest Libraries 

Waltham Forest Council offer library services online, meaning that you can access digital library resources from your own home. This includes newspapers, magazines, e-Books and audiobooks.

You can find out more here about the range of resources on offer.

Our library staff will email you a validated membership number within two hours (during business hours).

If you already have library books at home, they will be renewed until the libraries open again.

Mrs Kelly
Learning Resource Centre

Scholastic Book Club 

New Book in the "Millie" series by ex-WSFG Student 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is an extract from her latest book ...
 

" Millie knows she's not what they say she is. She's not a unit: she's a girl! It's all just a crazy misunderstanding. If she could just talk to her Company without the police shooting at her - they could sort this mess out.  

But on the run and cut off from everyone she knew before, how can Millie get back to her friends when the only 'people' willing to talk to her are a bunch of outlawed machines?  

One thing's for sure, surviving in the real world is proving to be a lot dirtier, stranger and more dangerous than she could have expected. "

Keira was a student at our school from 1998 to 2003. The first book in the series is set in a boarding school in the future and the main character thinks that the robots working there are plotting to take over the world.  

Both copies are available in the LRC for you to read. 

Well done Keira!

Ms Kelly
LRC Manager

A Kestrel for a Knave 50th Anniversary 

Dear all - its 50 years since A Kestrel for a Knave was published by Barry Hines. The film adaptation, 'Kes' was made the following year and for many years this book was studied at school. The comedian Greg Davies appeared in a documentary about Barry Hines and how the book has inspired so many people.  More information can be found here.

Ms Kelly
LRC Manager

Our First "Millionaire" Reader 

We have our first Millionaire Reader out of all  Year 7 and 8 Accelerated Reader students.

Faith 7W, with her Form Tutor Ms Nazir

Ms O Kelly
LRC Manager

Accelerated Reader Update 5 May 2020 

At Walthamstow School for Girls we place great importance on developing reading and understanding skills, which ultimately impacts immensely across the whole curriculum and benefits students as they progress towards their GCSEs.

Renaissance Learning (responsible for our Accelerated Reading lessons) recently provided students with access to numerous online books from a huge variety of genres through their myON service. We cannot stress enough the importance of maintaining regular reading, and then quizzing on the books read to indicate understanding of the content. 

We would like to encourage our students to continue with their Accelerated Reader (AR) lessons - reading and quizzing as often as possible.  AR lessons in school are only a small part of the need for reading, as it is recommended that all students read for a minimum of 30 minutes per day.  Reading should be both pleasurable and a way of extending learning.  In addition, this can be a fun activity for all the family - read, discuss and challenge one another in a variety of ways: understanding, changing characters, guess endings, change endings - the ideas are plentiful

Here are the links to both websites:

Renaissance Learning (Accelerated Reader)

If there are any problems, please contact the info@ email and ask for your concern to be forwarded to either Mrs Kelly.

10 Reasons to Love Libraries
 

On Sunday 10 March authors Philip Pullman, Salley Vickers and Jacqueline Wilson along with CEO of The Reading Agency, Sue Wilkinson, took to the British Library stage to discuss the importance of libraries, their experience of libraries as children into adulthood, and how these experiences have made their way onto the pages of their bestselling novels.

1. Libraries are free

Matt Haig tweet

2. Libraries can come to you

3. Libraries are open to everyone

4. In libraries, you’re the boss

5. There’s more to libraries than books alone

6. We wouldn’t have some of our favourite authors without libraries

7. In fact, we wouldn’t have some of our favourite books and characters without            libraries

8. Libraries are good for the mind and soul - Matt Haig

9. Libraries are a treat for the senses - Jacqueline Wilson

10. Don’t just take our word for it - MS KELLY, WSFG LRC

Click here to find out more ...

Duke of Edinburgh Volunteering in the LRC
 

Ying Hang from Year 10 came to me in November 2018 and asked if she could volunteer in the LRC. I was delighted, as there are many roles that she could have taken on, from supporting the knitting group to library tasks.

One of the oldest and most extensive parts of our archive collection is the examination results. These papers date from 1898 to 1967, and list the subject, such as Botany and Needlework and the marks for those subjects. Student’s names are listed and from 1951 dates of birth, however, in the early days, not all students took their final exams.

Ying Hang has been volunteering every week in the LRC getting these results into our archive electronically, and I would like to thank her on behalf of the Alumnae Committee for her diligence and commitment to this work.

Good luck to all the Duke of Edinburgh Award volunteers across the school.  

Ms Kelly
LRC Manager

Ten Women who used Pseudonyms ... and one man 

'I would venture to guess that Anon, who wrote so many poems without signing them, was often a woman.' – Virginia Woolf

In time for International Women's Day on 8th March, Art UK has posted an article by Lydia Figes which includes a selection of portraits of female writers in UK collections who used a nom de plume.

Read the post here ...

January 2022

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