This March, WA celebrated not just World Book Day, but World Book Week / Month, with a range of exciting events exploring the theme Where Does Reading Take Us?

This theme was chosen to reflect the diverse avenues that storytelling can take us, beyond the walls of the English classroom. In honour of International Women's Day, we shone a spotlight on female authors, delving into their works, inspirations, and careers. 

From creative workshops to thought-provoking assemblies, students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of literature and discover the endless possibilities reading can offer. Here’s a low-down of what took place:

Catherine Johnson Inspires Young Writers: Monday 3rd March

Acclaimed author Catherine Johnson launched our celebrations with a captivating assembly for Year 7, sharing the many avenues reading has taken her, from historical fiction to screenwriting. She later hosted a bespoke creative writing workshop for Year 7 and 8 students, who came away with invaluable insights into the writing process.

Key takeaways from students:

• “You will probably throw away 60-70% of what you write. But if you have an idea, give it a try - you never know what it might become.”
• “I never thought of using objects like notebooks, cards, and envelopes to build characters and settings.”
• “It was fascinating to see how inspiration can come from the simplest things in our surroundings.”
• “She taught us not to judge ourselves too harshly - most writing is trial and error.”

World Book Day: Celebrating Literature Together: Thursday 6th March

On World Book Day, tutors led engaging activities connecting students with literature relevant to their year group studies. These sessions reinforced the importance of reading and encouraged students to explore new books, themes, and ideas.

House Assemblies: Student Voices on Reading: 10th, 11th, 17th, and 18th March

Students had the opportunity to present their own reflections on Where Reading Takes Them in special house assemblies. Levi, one of our talented young writers, delivered a powerful rap/poem inspired by The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. We are thrilled to announce that his work will soon be published in a Young Writers Poem collection - an incredible achievement!

Students involved in the Catherine Johnson and Sophie Leonie workshop also delivered feedback to the other years on what they learnt from these inspiring workshops.

Sophie Leonie on Storytelling and Screenwriting: Wednesday 12th March

Renowned writer, screenwriter, broadcaster, and actor Sophie Leonie delivered an inspiring assembly for Year 12, discussing how reading shaped her career and personal growth. Following this, she hosted a screenwriting workshop for Year 10 and Year 12 students, which proved to be a huge success.

Ms Shakya commented: “The workshop ended up being completely full, and the Year 12s loved it. It was fantastic to see so many students (including a large number of boys!) engage in the craft of writing. I’m grateful to her for organising such an enriching experience.”

Students explored the exciting possibilities of screenwriting, discovering it as both a creative outlet and a potential career path.

A Month of Literary Inspiration

World Book Month was a fantastic opportunity for students to reflect on how reading shapes their imagination, aspirations, and future paths. From storytelling to poetry and screenwriting, students were encouraged to embrace literature in new and exciting ways. A huge thank you to all our guest authors and everyone involved in making this celebration of books and reading such a success!

Please see our new Reading page on our website for more information about how to foster a love for reading at home.

Ms Winter, Literacy Coordinator