Somerhill Review 2023/24

THE SOMERHILL REVIEW 2023/24

Annabel McKenzie was awarded a runner-up prize in the National Book Tokens ‘Design a New Superhero’ competition, which invited children to design a new superhero with the power to help the environment. Annabel’s success was especially noteworthy given that, in 2023, she won first prize in the National Book Tokens ‘Design a Book Token’ competition, which resulted in her winning design being made into a book token and sold nationally! A wealth of talent from the literary world, including authors Annelise Gray, Alex Wheatle and Vashti Hardy, author/illustrator Jamie Littler and performance poet Mark Grist, has visited the school this year to inspire, enthuse and spark creativity in our pupils. Pupils have engaged in talks, workshops and even a poetry slam/rap battle! The Woodgate Library was formally opened in February 2024 by our generous benefactor, Mrs Carol Norris of the Woodgate family. Designed in part by our pupils, the library is a welcoming and cosy space and a place of stimulation and inspiration, fostering a love of reading for pleasure. There has always been a great reading culture at Somerhill, but now the pupils have the truly special library space that they deserve. A place where they can relax and immerse themselves in reading; a forum where they can discuss books; a quiet area for study and a well-being sanctuary where they can find respite from busy school life. Since its opening, the library has frequently been filled with pupils playing chess, others curled up in chairs with shoes off, soaking up their chosen read, and those excitedly perusing the newest titles. Seeing the enthusiasm of our brilliant, inquisitive pupils as they navigate their new space is an absolute joy. The June Book Fair rounded off a wonderful year of reading events. Hundreds of books were sold, and pupils generated much excited book talk as they pored over the latest releases.Thanks to the generosity of those who bought books, Somerhill also raised a significant amount of money to spend on new titles for the library to benefit the whole school community.

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