Sports Day 2011

I am honoured to be presented with a PE shirt today - am now an honorary member of the PE department. This is a result of assisting with PE trips - rounders, cricket, netball, Athletics, tennis, football to name a few. PLus I love sport!

I will wear my shirt with pride on Friday.

Librarian Chic

Our Library Assistant Victoria is wearing these fabulous (and they don't stop her shelving...) shoes today. Proof that Buns and glasses are no more.

Islington Carnegie Shadowing Ceremony

This morning the Carnegie shadowing group joined several other Islington schools at the Islington ceremony, organised by the Education Library Service, at Central Foundation School.

After a couple of last minute rehearsals, we headed off down to Old Street and managed to get ourselves lost, thanks to our guide, Munna! We joined the other schools in the LRC, where the girls ate lots of biscuits to counter their nerves.
The first part of the morning was a talk by Malaika Rose Stanley, author of several books, including 'Spike and Alienson' and 'Baby Ruby Bawled.' She treated us to a fun session, whereby she asked children from the audience to come up and ask her questions and awarded spot prizes. She also talked about her forthcoming book, aimed at teenagers, 'Skin Deep.'

Everyone then moved up the the Lecture Theatre. The girls were very impressed with the room and said it put our school to shame - but I pointed out that we will hopefully have our own new school late next year and they suggested that we could host the Carnegie ceremony one year to show off our new school.

Each school then did their presentation; there were some really good interpretations of books including a radio preaentation, some scenes from 'The amazing Pepper Roux' and culminating in a 'Bookshop Owner's Den' sketch from Central Foundation School.
EGA put on their sketch which was 5 short scenes based on 'Out of Shadows.' They performed really well and highlighted the issue of racism, which is at the heart of the book.

After the presentations the voting took place and we were pleased that 'Out of Shadows' won, as this had been our group's favourite book, followed by 'The Bride's Farewell' and 'Prisoner of the Inquisition.'

It was a very successful and enjoyable morning, especially when Malaika Rose Stanley asked if she could use the Reading Group to pilot 'Skin Deep,' ready for the launch in September. Naturally, we were happy to oblige!

The national winner was announced this afternoon, as 'Monsters of Men' by Patrick Ness. This was the third book in a trilogy, so was not a popular choice for our group, but overall the whole experience was enjoyable and worthwhile.

Carnegie Shadowing progress

This week we are taking part in the Islington Carnegie Shadowing event to be held on Thursday at Central Foundation Boys School. We are performing a few short scenes from 'Out of Shadows' by Jason Wallace. So far we have had one read through and one staged rehearsal, squeezed in to lunch breaks. We have two more lunchtimes before the event - so it will rely heavily on improvisation, I feel.
However, the enthusiasm of the girls will carry it through, I am fully confident of that.

Last night, in need of a hat for the character of Weekend, I went into the local Charity shop and found this perfect hat - modelled here by Ms Silva, at staff briefing this morning!

Recycled Suitcase Prop

Rosanna made this lovely suitcase from paper recycling boxes. It's a prop for our play 'Out of Shadows' for the Islington Carnegie ceremony next week.

Top Five issues by Year Group January - June 2011

I thought I'd have a look at the most frequently borrowed books since January 2011 - Good to see Year 10 have their priorities right!

Year 7
1. Little Darlings - Jacqueline Wilson
2. Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
3. Sleepovers - Jacqueline Wilson
4. The Worry Website - Jacqueline Wilson
5. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth - Jeff Kinnear

Year 8
1. Evermore:The Immortals 1 - Alyson Noel
2. City of Bones - Cassandra Clare
3. Diary of a Wimpy kid - Jeff Kinnear
4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth - Jeff Kinnear
5. Gass Houses - Rachel Caine

Year 9
1. Awakened - PC Cast
2. Paranormalcy - Kiersten White
3. Scarred - Julia Hoban
4. When I was Joe - Keren David
5. Reckoning - Kelley Armstrong

Year 10
1. GCSE Double Science Chemistry Revision Higher - Richard Parsons
2. Kisses from Hell - PC Cast
3. Bloodline - Kate Cary
4. Cross my heart and hope to spy - Ally Carter
5. City of Bones  - Cassandra Clare

Year 11
1. City of Bones  - Cassandra Clare
2. Awakened - PC Cast
3. English AQA Revise - Steven Croft
4. City of Ashes - Cassandra Clare
5. Don't judge a girl by her cover - Ally Carter

Carnegie Shadowing Page

View the reading Groups page on the Carnegie Shadowing site

http://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/grouphomepages/index.php?GroupID=247