World Mental Health Day - Take 10 to Read!

Today, 10th October, is World Mental Health Day. It is an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health issues and support everyone in protecting and improving their mental health and wellbeing.  

We have a great selection of books in the library about mental health, so make sure you take some time this World Mental Health Day to invest in your wellbeing and enjoy some selfcare with a good book.  To view the books on our mental health and wellbeing reading list, click here.

You might also like to take part in the National Literacy Trust's #Take10ToRead campaign by taking time out to escape into a good book!  Just 10 minutes a day could lift your mood and improve your mental health and well being, it can also improve your concentration and memory - why not give it a go?

National Poetry Day 2023

Celebrated every year, National Poetry Day is an opportunity to enjoy, share and discover poems.  This year's theme is 'refuge'.  Why not check out some of the refuge poems by renowned poets on the National Poetry Day website by clicking here?.  

Lemn Sissay, is the new National Poetry Day ambassador.  His poems are often on the theme of refuge.  Lemn's poem below is featured on the National Poetry Day website and is from his latest poetry collection, Let the Light Pour In (it's on our wish list!):

"Poetry is the syntax of the soul.

Poetry is not a minority sport. It is in the lyrics of Amy Winehouse, in adverts on television, it is read at weddings and funerals, It is in the West End and theatres around the UK. Poetry is in every musical form from Grime to Opera. Wake up and let the light pour in.

Do yourself a favour, instead of telling someone you love them. Find out what they love and then find a poem about what they love and give it to them."

by Lemn Sissay.

Lemn's poignant memoir, My Name is Why, is available to borrow from the Upper Library.

There are lots of events happening around the country today including:

• The launch of the Poetry By Heart annual competition at the Globe Theatre: https://poetrybyheart.org.uk/the-competition 
• Josephine Hart Poetry Hour: A Tribute to Seamus Heaney at the British Library, 5th October, 7pm to 8.30pm and online - https://www.bl.uk/events/josephine-hart-poetry-hour-a-tribute-to-seamus-heaney

Dyslexia Awareness Week 2023

It's Dyslexia Awareness Week, an opportunity to celebrate and appreciate dyslexics and challenge common misconceptions about dyslexia.

Our Libraries hold a variety of dyslexia friendly books, which are available to view online via OLIVER, our Library Management System.  As well as all the dyslexia friendly ‘quick read’ fiction printed on cream paper in a dyslexia friendly font and double spaced, the Libraries hold ‘careers’, ‘well-being’ and ‘study skills’ books. Simply click on the ‘reading lists’ at the top of the screen and then ‘D’ for ‘Dyslexia-Friendly books’.  Alternatively click here to view.  

For GCSE students, we have two unabridged, dyslexia friendly copies of A Christmas Carol, Macbeth and An Inspector Calls.  Other unabridged classics and retellings of classics are available too.  We have recently added The Self-Help Guide for Teens with Dyslexia: Useful Stuff You May Not Learn at School by Alais Winton and The Dyslexia, ADHD, and DCD-Friendly Study Skills Guide: Tips and Strategies for Exam Success by Ann-Marie McNicholas.

In addition, the LoveReading4Kids website have a great list of dyslexia friendly books by age group - click here to view.  The Books Trust's book recommendations can be viewed by clicking here. here.

Black History Month 2023 and Convince the Critics!

October is Black History Month, a time for both celebration and reflection. This year’s theme is Saluting Our Sisters to celebrate the crucial achievements of black women who have too often been overlooked.

The Libraries are celebrating this year by creating displays and running a competition. The Lower Library display highlights some brilliant black authors and poets while the Upper Library displays biographies of some wonderful black women.

Our Convince the Critics competition returns this year with fabulous prizes including a signed copy of Jeffrey Boakye’s latest book Musical World as well as his award-winning Musical Truth.

To enter, you must write at least one compelling paragraph, no maximum length, convincing the critics to read the Black History Month book or book by a black author that you have chosen to recommend. 

The closing date is 1st November and entries should be handed to your Librarians.  Don't forget to include your name and form and the author and title of the book!  

In other news, our Year 13 historians attended the Black Histories Erased Panel - Black Histories Amplified 2023 on Monday, organised by our Head of History, Ms Rodgerson. The panel discussed the role of Black excellence and innovation in a thoughtful and provoking way. Furthermore, they talked about the necessity to continue redefining, recreating and rebuilding more equitable and accessible systems. This event can be viewed on YouTube: 

National Black History Month Poetry Competition 2023

Image from the BHM website at
 Black History Month Poetry Competition 2023 - Black History Month 2023

This year Black History Month are launching their National Black History Month Poetry Competition!

This competition is open to everyone regardless of age, all you have to do is write a poem about a pioneering black woman and why they are inspirational to you. 

There are lots of books by great black female poets available in the library if you’re looking for inspiration such as our favourites Maya Angelou and Audre Lorde and we have lots of biographies of pioneering women from Nina Simone to Simone Biles.   The winning entry and top 32 poems will be printed in an anthology of the poets work.

Click here for more information and remember, the deadline is November 15^th and the winners will be announced next World Poetry Day!