In the inimitable words of Dr. Seuss,

Book Week

As we farewell Book Week for 2023, it is pleasing to report that the spirit of reading is alive and well at Kilbreda. In an era when fewer students are benefiting from the pleasure and educational benefits of reading, it is immensely satisfying to observe so many of our students read widely and voraciously. Whether in the relaxing enclave of the Library Reading Room for their timetabled reading lessons, as part of dynamic discussion in Literature classes or as members of the Short Story Society, a co-venture with St Bede’s College, our students are reading and thriving on the experience.

Last week, this spirit manifested in the glorious return of the ‘Edible Book Competition’, with spectacular entries from beloved stories all vying for victory. ‘Harry Potter’, ‘Alice in Wonderland’ (the Cheshire Cat, no less), ‘The Lorax’, ‘David Walliams’, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ and ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ were notable entries that particularly wowed us all with their combined culinary and literary talents.

Benefits of Reading

In the English department, we encourage all students to read widely and often. We encourage parents to support and foster this habit at home, whether reading novels, graphic texts, newspapers or non-fiction, or listening to audiobooks. Reading is hugely valuable, providing students with access to ideas and language that expands and challenges their understanding of the world. It is no coincidence that students who read typically outperform their non-reading peers at school. In their busy lives, students can find many opportunities to read, even if only for 15 minutes per day. They can read on the bus or train travelling to school and reading before bed is a proven way to relax (and escape the ever-present screens and buzzing notifications!), unwinding the mind before getting a good night’s sleep.

In Years 7 to 9 students are expected to bring reading materials to their English lessons for a period of private reading time at the beginning of class. Our senior students are expected to read their set texts two to three times over the course of a semester/year to effectively prepare for assessments and examinations, whilst, of course, still reading for pleasure!

As English teaching consultant, David Didau remarks:

“Few people would disagree that improving children’s reading ability would be a good thing. Not only would it open up greater opportunities in life, it would boost their cognitive development and increase the likelihood of them being able to access an academic curriculum“.

Nicola O’Shea
Learning Leader: English