To encourage reading over the summer holidays, students can complete the Summer Reading Challenge. It is a bingo sheet with nine squares that can be completed in any order. Each sqaure completed will earn your child a credit in September, a great way to start the new school year. Forms are at the desk in the library.

Join your local library and discover not just books, but audiobooks and magazines for your family. They have a fantastic collection aimed at children and teenagers, and it is free to join and use. No monthly subscription charges!

Aimed at 11-17 year olds, the first one is Friday 25th July, 1.30-3pm at Haywards Heath library.

For our older students, particularly those in year 9 going into year 10 who are doing the HPQ, JSTOR offers a free account where students can access materials for research. Take a look at this link. Proper cited research underpins excellent school work.

For families with older children on their way to college, take a look at this offer from The Economist.

We had our last Open Mic of the year recently. Students were invited to read an extract from their favourite book they had read this year. As usual, the event was over-subscribed, showing just how keen students are to share their passion for books and reading. Thank you to all who participated and those who came to listen.

As part of the Enrichment Days programme, the libray played host to local Manga artist, Chie Kutsuwada. This is the second year she has led the workshops and it is easy to see why we invite her back. Not only is she talented herelf, but she brings out the best in our students. Those who already have their own artistic style are encouraged to develop that style using Chie's advice. She also instills a confidence in beginners that empowers them to have a go. There were some fantastic drawings by the end of each day and Chie said they were some of the best students she'd ever worked with, high praise indeed, and genuinely meant.

Well done to all our students in years 7 & 8 for their reading and quiz-taking throughout the year. They read a combined total of 215,237,355 words; fantastic achievement, I'm sure you'll agree. We had two students read over 10 million words each, one from year 7 and one from year 8 which is phenomenal.

What we aim for is that each student reads and quizzes as much as they are able and that reach their own personal target based on their ability so please continue to encourage your child to read this summer and into the next academic year.

Our Teenage Bookworms book club recently read and discussed this year's Carnegie Medal for Writing shortlisted books. This is the top award for children's books in the UK and highyl valued by authors and publishers, as well as readers. We had some open and frank discussions about the themes in each book and we mostly agreed on our favourite book, Glasgow Boys. Thankfully, it won so we were all delighted! There is a second award called the Shadowers' Choice Award where students, rather than adult judges, have their say. This year's choice was King of Nothing (also a Waterstones Award Winner). If you are looking to recommend a book for childrne aged 13+ (older for Treacle Town), take a look at these books.

One of our amazing students has written and published a book! We are incredibly proud of Lily's achievement and of course, we have a copy on the library for students to borrow.

Following on from the last library newsletter, here are two more recommendations from our English teachers.

Looking ahead to the next school year, the library will once again be the place to befor so many of our students. There are some changes to our daily lunchtime routines; take a look at the new routines and talk them through with your child, especially if you know they are a regular library user.

We are delighted to be able to welcome award-winning author, Chris Bradford to Oathall next term. He will be talking to all our year 8 students and running a couple of workshops. More details to follow nearer the time.

I have recently finished a fantastic book, recommended to me by someone who knows my reading preferences. Click on the book cover for more details.

If you have a recomendation you'd like to promote, please email me at librarian@oathall.org and I will try to add it to the newsletter.