Four students represented WHS at the Spellbinding Awards Day, which was the culmination of almost four months of intensive reading and reviewing of books.
The event, organised by Library Services for Schools (Cumberland Council), was held at the North Lakes Hotel in Penrith on Thursday 26 June.
Thomas, Abbie, Fliss and Tilly, with the Librarian, Mrs Loth-Hill, travelled to Penrith by train and after a short walk to the venue, joined almost 100 students from other secondary schools in Cumbria. The day was filled with book-related activities, including inspiring and entertaining presentations by the authors Clare Furniss and Lucy Strange, who talked about their writing experiences and shared tips for good writing.
Lunch was followed by a Q & A session, book buying opportunities, getting books signed by the three authors present, judging of competitions and finally, the announcement of the winner of the Spellbinding Reading Challenge 2025. The winning title was a gripping dystopian YA novel “The Things We Leave Behind” by Clare Furniss. This amazing book is now available for loan from the school library.
All students received a small goodie bag with some surprises inside. Laden with new and second-hand books, the William Howard party walked back to Penrith train station for their journey home. Well done to Fliss, Tilly, Abbie and Thomas, and all students, for showing such enthusiasm for books and reading!
