Students arrived this morning to a wonderful surprise as they were greeted by a host of comic book characters, beloved fantasy heroes, figures from historical fiction and many more familiar faces. The school community has been buzzing with excitement as we took the opportunity to host a Get Cosy and Read day to celebrate World Book Day.
Our Heads of Houses appeared to have stepped straight out of Wonderland. The Languages Department were welcome visitors from Hogwarts, while some staff had travelled all the way from the deepest, darkest Peru with their marmalade sandwiches. Others arrived having been blown in on the East Wind — practically perfect in every way. Meanwhile, the English Department, who were very much “all for one and one for all”, joined the celebration with their own literary flair. These were just some of the fabulous characters our staff embodied to promote the sharing of stories and the importance of reading.
Students were eager to take part in the festivities, enjoying the opportunity to celebrate their favourite books, characters and stories together. A much-loved William Howard tradition, the relay read ran throughout the day, leaving students wondering who the mysterious “man with the yellow face” might be right up until the final reveal. The day concluded with a whole-school “drop everything and read” moment, giving everyone the chance to pause and enjoy a good book.
Alongside a range of activities, Year 11 students were treated to a special assembly led by Lady Catherine de Bourgh, the formidable character from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, who spoke about the importance of reading and the role it can play in shaping their future careers.
WHS Literacy Lead Mrs Mallin-Cruddace commented: “As part of the National Year of Reading, we wanted to take the opportunity to share stories, something we believe is vital in developing a lifelong love of reading. We have encouraged students to read around what they love and to discover the things that truly spark their interest. We hope the whole school community has enjoyed the day and we look forward to continuing our Get Cosy and Read Days in the future.”
