Held to raise funds for the school library to purchase an eco-friendly book-covering machine, the event saw a bake sale, photobooth and book stand set up in the hall, not to mention principal Kieran James decked out in full Dumbledore garb.
‘We would really like to raise the profile of the library and create a real reading culture here,’ said librarian Dallas Courtenay-Warren.
‘Reading is so important for the students. It’s critical to their learning but also to their development as people. It expands their horizons so much and it’s part of their culture – there are so many references to literature in everyday life.’
The event was organised to take place on Thursday 23 April in order to coincide with Shakespeare’s birthday, World Book Night, and World Book and Copyright Day. It is one of many things that Sixth Form Centre has arranged to mark the National Year of Reading, alongside participating in Bright Beginnings’ Literacy Programme and inviting Guernsey Literary Festival speakers into the school.
‘We also have a big group of students – I think it’s at least 12-15 – who are volunteering to help out with the Literary Festival this year,’ said Mrs Courtenay-Warren.
‘I think they really enjoy the library and we have quite a special community.’
As well as participating in the day’s festivities, students were also responsible for helping to plan and run the event. 17-year-old events prefect Gazelle Adaya worked side-by-side with her teachers to plan the day, while the bake sale and ‘guess how much treasure is in Smaug’s hoard’ activities were managed by students.
‘The beautiful thing about an event like this is that there are so many different skills they’ve been learning while they’ve been planning it and running it,’ said Mr James through thick tufts of faux beard.
‘I think it’s been brilliant.’
The event was held to raise money for the library to purchase a book covering machine and green-friendly book covers, in order to protect its books while not creating as much plastic waste.