LBTV A Force for the community…
In celebration of World Book Day (3 March), pupils at Dalmain Primary School participated in a week-long celebration of reading activities and events, including a guest visit from author, Benjamin Dean, to help inspire a love of reading and highlight the important role it plays in a child’s development.
Dalmain Primary’s events kicked off with a “Ready Steady Read” challenge which saw pupils take part in a sponsored read which raised nearly £2,000 funds to go towards the purchase of ‘diverse and inclusive’ books for the school’s library collection, in partnership with Usborne Books. This was followed by a reading pyjama party on the evening of Tuesday 1 March, where pupils and their parents were invited back to school equipped with pyjamas, teddies and cushions in order to relax and listen to various story telling sessions.
The school will also be joined by a surprise visit from author, Benjamin Dean on the 28th March. The event will be about Benjamin’s publishing journey and the inspiration behind his novel, ‘Me, My Dad, and the end of the Rainbow’, about family, love and inclusivity; plus tips for children on writing their own colourful adventures. The children will have the opportunity to ask Benjamin questions about his writing process and inspiration for his novel.
Throughout the week, pupils listened out for a ‘special song’ played via the tannoy system which signalled for them to Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R), as well as taking part in lunchtime reading clubs and a mystery book trail, where teachers hid 15 well-known book covers that were slightly altered, which the children had to guess all the books correctly to win a prize.
Erika Eisele, Headteacher at Dalmain said:
“World Book Day is a brilliant opportunity for pupils around the world to come together to celebrate their love of books and authors. Whilst this week’s events are linked to World Book Day, reading forms a core element of the curriculum at Dalmain Primary, with teachers and staff dedicated to nurturing the pupils’ love of books and helping them become life-long readers.
“Thanks to our wonderful school community, we have been able to run some great events and activities that will inspire a passion for reading and general curiosity all-year round. It’s been fantastic to see how excited the children have been throughout the week, particularly when sharing and discussing their favourite stories.”
On World Book Day itself – the 25th anniversary of the day – pupils dressed up as one of their most-loved characters and shared a short presentation with their class. Winners of each class were selected to present their book in assembly and were awarded with a book of their choice.
A year 4 winner of the World Book Day competition, said:
“‘For World Book Day, I dressed up as Tintin. I love all these books as they are so exciting! Tintin always goes on so many exciting adventures and the books also have lots of funny parts. I read the end of ‘The Adventures of Tintin and Red Rackham’s Treasure’ to the whole school in a special assembly. This is the part of the book where Captain Haddock says all’s well that ends well but Professor Calculus doesn’t hear him correctly and repeats back lots of funny and silly sentences which makes Captain Haddock gets very cross!
“As a prize for winning the best book presentation in my class I have won a book of my choice. I have chosen ‘Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow’ by Benjamin Dean. During the Reading Week assembly, Miss Bissell read us the blurbs of five inspirational books which all celebrate the LGBTQ community, this included the book I have chosen – it sounds so interesting, I’m really looking forward to reading it.”
