This February, why not journey through our library shelves and discover some romance novels as we celebrate Valentine’s Day? We’re also super excited about World Book Day, so check out the blog for details on our author visit and fun activities. If you’re in Year 10, there is still a chance to enter our Year 10 Masked Reader; just email the school library with your entry. Plus, “Whodunnit” Club is returning on Monday, 24th February 2025, from 15:40 to 16:25 in the library.
Get Ready to Celebrate World Book Day
6 March 2025
The excitement kicks off for World Book Day on Thursday 6th March 2025. Author, Matt Dickinson will be talking to SGS students about his books and speaking with Geography students about his adventures climbing Mount Everest. Matt will be available to sign copies of his books and meet students.
This year WBD is inviting everyone to
”Read Your Way.”
Read Your Way encourages everyone to let go of reading pressures and expectations, and empowers children and young people to have fun discovering reading on their own terms.
World Book Day Books
Year 7 will be able to choose a free book for World Book Day. Each class will receive a selection of these books below.
You can read This Story is a Lie (suitable for teen readers only), for free online by visiting the World Book Day website. Free £1 off book tokens will be handed out to years 7-11.
www.worldbookday/this-story-is-a-lie
SGS Welcomes Author Matt Dickinson for World Book Day
Matt Dickinson is an award-winning writer and filmmaker who loves climbing and adventure. Throughout his career, he has served as a director and cameraman for major networks like National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, the BBC, and Channel 4. His film projects have taken him
to places like Antarctica, Africa, and the Himalayas.
His book, The Death Zone, tells the real story of that climb and has become a bestseller in various countries. Currently, Matt is the patron of reading at Eltham College and continues to pursue climbing and exploration. In January 2013, he reached the summit of Mount Aconcagua, which stands at 6,965 meters, making it the tallest peak outside the Himalayas. He returned to Everest in 2016 and 2017 as a writer in residence with Jagged Globe’s South Col Expedition.
Matt has also written fiction aimed at teenagers. His first thriller series, Mortal Chaos, received praise from both critics and readers. He followed it up with the Everest Files, a popular trilogy set on the highest mountain in the world, and the teen thriller Lie Kill Walk Away. Additionally, he created a series for younger kids called Popcorn Eating-Squirrels of the World Unite!
World Book Day Introduces “World of Stories”
Step into the World of Stories this World Book Day! With the fantastic range of FREE audiobooks available for you to enjoy. Audiobooks are a great way to experience stories, whether you’re sharing them with others or enjoying them solo. Yoto is the official WBD audio partner, and you can find their audiobooks on the Yoto App.
Remember, all the £1/€1.50 books for World Book Day will be available
in audio. You can also explore more audiobooks at Bolinda Library,
Borrow Box, and Naxos Audiobooks.
Remember: Ask permission from your parent/guardian before you download.
Discover our new arrivals this February: Young Samurai (KS3); Daughter of Smoke and Bone By Laini Taylor (KS4); Grenade by Alan Gratz (KS3); Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy (KS4); The Man who Loved Only Numbers by Paul Hoffman (KS4/5); The Wealth and Poverty of Nations by David Landes (KS5) Section 339.3.
LGBT+ History Month
1– 28 February 2025
LGBT+ History Month runs from 1st – 28th February. The theme of LGBT History Month 2025 is Activism and Social Change. Each year a theme is chosen for this annual celebration to promote awareness through a wide range of fields, including education, business, and politics, both nationally and globally.
Why not explore BBC Bitesize and find out about a few impactful individuals who stood up and made a difference. Some of these names might be familiar to you, while others could be new discoveries, but each one has contributed to society in a unique way.
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles
We have some great books available for you to borrow including: The Gender Games, and What is Gender? How Does it Define Us? By Juno Dawson; The Wicked Wit of Oscar Wilde compiled by Maria Leach and Alan Turning, The Enigma by Andrew Hodges.
Love is in the Air this Valentine’s Day
14 February 2025
Valentine’s Day is celebrated yearly on 14th February which is famously the most romantic day of the year. When it comes to love stories, some of the ones we have in our library are just as powerful, if not more so, than Romeo and Juliet, even if they’re a little more modern. Three such books that have proved popular are Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper, Sarah J Maas’s, Tik Tok sensation, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Normal People by Sally Rooney. We highly recommend these books and the excitement of following the protagonists’ declarations of love as you turn the pages.
One book which follows the many different aspects of love is The Cats We Meet Along the Way by Nadia Mikail. Although it only has one cat in the story (Fleabag, a stray cat) the story begins with knowledge that the world is about to end. Seventeen-year-old, Aisha, hasn’t seen her sister, June, in two years, prompting her and her mother to set out on a mission to find June and heal their past. Together with Aisha’s boyfriend Walter and his parents, they take a road trip through Malaysia in a vibrantly decorated campervan, seeking closure for the past, understanding of the present, and hope for what lies ahead.
Why Read What If ?
Review by Hridhaan 7L
I recently read What If by Randall Munroe. What If provides an interesting insight on our day to day life, centralizing on From the Earth suddenly stopping its spin to transferring every drop of ocean water to Mars. These ‘thought experiments’ reveal the extraordinary forces that shape our world and the psychology of how people think.
Overall, What If is an evocative and thought-provoking novel that examines the random, however exciting, questions that fill our mind in day to day society. Furthermore, I have read book 1 and I can’t wait to read the next one (What If 2?) as the first page itself of the book hooks the reader from the get go.
Mr Barlett Reviews But What Can I Do?:
why has politics gone so wrong and how you can help fix it”
by Alastair Campbell
“The Rest is Politics” has consistently been one of my favourite podcasts in recent years. Its two co-presenters, Alastair Campbell (former Downing Street Director of Communications and Strategy during the New Labour Government) ) and Rory Stewart (former Conservative cabinet minister) can be relied upon to offer differing viewpoints on each political issue under discussion and it is then left to you, the listener, to form your own opinion.
Both Stewart and Campbell have also each written perceptively about politics. Stewart’s “Politics on the Edge” is a memoir written by someone who became increasingly disaffected with how cabinet government failed to deliver on the published objectives, albeit during a particularly turbulent period. Whilst short on effective solutions, the book makes for a very engaging read. Campbell has also written memoir (several volumes, in fact) but it is his “But What Can I Do? – why has politics gone so wrong and how you can help fix it.” that I wish to recommend here. Written in 2023, largely in response to feedback to the podcast, this is both a call to arms and a handbook on how to engage most effectively in political activism. The author’s passion for politics is infectious and the strategies he advocates have been proven to work right at the heart of government. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I hope it goes on to galvanise many, particularly young people, to engage in the political process, at whatever stage. Perhaps, then, this book might prove as useful to the current generation as was Shirley Williams’ “Politics is for People” over a generation earlier.”
British Science Week
7 – 16 March 2025
By Blog Buddy Stefan 9M
The British Science Week is a celebration where mathematics, engineering, science and technology all meet up together to form engaging events/activities for people across the UK. Every year, for 10 days, thousands of event organisers (teachers, communities, parents
and even students) can take part in activities.
The theme this year is ‘Change and Adapt’ – which links to maths, engineering, science and technology. You can discover more subthemes on the British Science Week website. This ensures that everyone in the UK can learn something new about science and what it does for us! If you want to spread the word of science around why not enter British Science Week’s Poster Competition.
Here are some science books hand-picked by our blog buddy for you
to borrow today.
Chinese New Year Reads on SORA
If you celebrated Chinese New Year and wish to further your reading in your language, visit SORA today to see all of the books they have. Above are the titles which are suitable for KS3 students upwards. You will find these books under “Collections” in SORA, then type in “Chinese Titles” to view them.
Half Term Activity at Sutton Library
“Animating the Workshop”
WEDNESDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2025 AT 1:00PM AND AT 3:00PM
At SUTTON CENTRAL LIBRARY For Ages 7-12, £3 Cost.
Visit Sutton Library for an engaging and imaginative workshop that makes history come alive! Attendees will kick off the day by exploring the Sutton archives, discovering historical images and stories. The exciting part then unfolds when you take on the role of an animator, using tablets to craft your own mini animated films featuring some of the archive pictures.
This enjoyable and interactive session is great for igniting your artist flare
whilst engaging you with local history. No drawing skills are required as this workshop is suitable for all levels. For more information see the link below.
Remember to keep safe online and ask your parent or guardian to read through the information before registering for any event.