8 March 2019
We were delighted that the popular children’s author Fleur Hitchcock could visit us for the day on Tuesday 5th March as part of our World Book Day celebrations. The author of books such as Murder in Midwinter and Bus Stop Baby, Fleur has won many awards for her writing and girls in Years 7 and 8, as well as Year 6 pupils from nearby St Francis’ School, Caterham, were thrilled to be able to hear her talk about her books, what inspires her to write and how she manages the process.
Many of our girls had chosen her books to read as part of the Bookbuzz programme, so were familiar with her work, and asked some interesting and insightful questions. Afterwards the girls were able to buy copies of Fleur’s books, including her newly published one, The Boy who Flew, and have them signed by her.
On World Book Day itself, March 7th, teachers shared their enthusiasm for a favourite book, reading an excerpt to their tutor group. Naturally, the choices were wide ranging, from John Wyndam’s The Day of the Triffids, through Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice and Sue Monk Kidd’s The Secret Life of Bees, to Roald Dahl’s George’s Magic Medicine.
The English department also shared a highly appropriate quote and message with the whole school on World Book Day:
‘UntiI I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.’ This quotation is from To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. It is spoken by the child narrator, Scout, when she fears that she will no longer be able to read with her father, Atticus. It reminds us that the opportunity to read is often taken for granted. Please make full use of your opportunities, including our wonderful collection of fiction in the school library.
