During the month of October I ran a writing competition for all S1 and S2 pupils. Their challenge was to scare me!  I did warn them that by S2 I had read my way through all the Point Horror books and Christopher Pike and was already starting to read Stephen King. I did like my horror stories as a teen!
I had a difficult time choosing my top three and eventually it was the one that made me need to double check on my wee one a couple of extra times at night that won it for me.  I hope you enjoy the story as much as I do and sleep a little lighter....

The rain was crashing against the windows. The dim alarm clock read 12:45am. The occasional flash of lightning revealed the tall, dark figure beside the door. Poor little Jane was still fast asleep. Her 7 year old self unknown to the horrors that will come. The wind howled, covering up the noise of the creatures footsteps. It crept over towards her bed and leaned in. Jane awoke and immediately you could see her trembling. Massive dark eyes in front of her. Fear began to overcome her. She coward in fear, screaming for her parents. The screams were terrifying, like it was bloody murder. The creature snarled as its mouth opened. You could see its overwhelmingly sharp teeth, whilst its tongue hung out of its deformed mouth. Jane was now crying, curling up in fear. The lightening flashed, exposing every single part of the creature. Its many arms flailing about like and octopuses tentacles. The legs were so thin you could practically see its bones. Its head was black with big horns coming out that were so sharp you could cut a brick with them. The rain drowning out Jane's screams. Then, everything went black. Like all happiness and energy had disappeared. The next morning her parents woke to see her bed empty. All her teddies holding a letter. D. E. A. D. Some say her parents went mad and fled. Others say its just a myth. No one has heard of her for over 19 years. Until recently the news came out saying children have been vanishing around midnight. No one has ever seen this creature. No one knows its strengths and abilities. Every day, society worries it will return. Having no clue who its next victim will be. Lets just hope that whoever it is, no, whatever it is will not be back tonight. For all anyone knows , it could start hunting adults. For all anyone knows, you could be its next victim.....

Well done to Sophie in S2 for the winning entry.  She received her prize along with the two runner-ups today, Ryan and Cleo.  

A HUGE well done to 1F, the class who won the first Class of the Month for participating in the new order and delivery service. They had the highest participating level of all classes in September.  Each pupil received a shiny new pencil and Mrs Russell got a certificate to hang in their classroom. 

Next certificate available at the end of October is for most genres read by a class... get reading folks!

The new Order and Dleivery system is now fully functioning for all students in S1 and S2.  They can access an order form vis teams every two weeks and the books will be delivered to their English classes.  So far its going well with only one returned so far by a student who had clicked I like graphic novels by mistake.  She didn't really appreciate Riverdale. 

To support this I placed an order for lovely new books last week and I'm eagerly waiting for the books to arrive. 

In March this year it felt as though the world was paused.  We all had to stay at home, no-one sat an exam and the school was left eerily empty.  Now it is August and the sound of students and staff learning together reverberates around the old building once more, yet not is all as it was.  This includes the school library. :( 

At the moment pupils are not permitted access to the library to browse the stock held on the shelves, read their favourite magazine, discuss favourite manga or compete at bridge and I am missing all your smiley faces, every day.  However you can still borrow books and I am working very hard to create an online library that allows you as much variety in ways that you choose books.  In S1 and S2, and eventually S3, you will be required to complete an 'order form' every fortnight for library books.  You have the opportunity to ask for a specific title or allow me to choose for you. S4-S6 will also be able to do this as and when they require any books.    

I will then deliver the books to your English classroom on Delivery Day.  English teachers will all be given a Library Returns Box to put in their classroom and you can return your library books to this box or the box at the library door. Safety is my top priority and strict hygiene measures will be followed in the selection and delivery of your books.  They will all be quarantined for 72 hours on return as well before being checked back in and shelved by myself. 

I will endeavour to still bring you competitions, book selections, book reviews and host online events whenever I can.  Each S1 and S2 class has a library team via Glow and I will communicate directly with each class there.  For the rest of the school please keep checking this blog for more information and for the date where I can welcome you all back in through the library door. 

Please enjoy this book review I posted during lockdown: