On Thursday 25th April 2024, we went to the TSBA ceremony at Latymer Upper School. To get there, we got the train to Victoria and then the tube to the school. When we got there, there was a lovely ceremony where all the student winners were announced for the creative responses and the book review competitions. Then the author winners of TSBA and the Trinity+ were awarded (Rebel Skies by Ann Sei Lin for TSBA and Lies like Wildfires by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez for Trinity+). After that, there were 'elemental' themed snacks, and we could get our books signed by the authors that were there and take pictures with them too. After that, we got the tube and train back to school. Of course, this wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing Mrs Carey. So thank you for everything you do for us, Mrs Carey.

Liv, Year 8

The book trip was great fun! - just like last year! We got books signed and had some nice snacks too. We found out who won the TSBA awards (Rebel Skies) which I would recommend reading as it’s very good.

Overall, it was an excellent trip with the best librarian, Mrs Carey. I hope to do it again next year!

Grace, Year 8

In the autumn term, my two book groups read 14 books as part of the Trinity Schools Book Awards, voted on their favourites and eagerly awaited the awards ceremony where we found out which authors would take the trophies.

I was lucky enough to take nine students from Years 7-10 to Latymer Upper School to watch the ceremony, see their competition submissions displayed and meet the authors. We spent a lot of time with Teri Terry, author of Dark Blue Rising, quizzing her on how she comes up with ideas for her books, and discovering that sometimes she dreams them! 

Thank you to the generous PTA who paid for the books and our participation in the awards ceremony. The students loved it and have already asked to take part again next year!

Mrs Carey, School Librarian

Click on the link here to view the TSBA Ceremony Photo Gallery

Congratulations to our competition winners! Their beautiful artwork will be framed and displayed in the library, and they have each won a £10 book voucher for their wonderful creations.

Rowan Banks
Assassination Classroom

Daniel Whitaker &
Saviru Anuhas Mudiyansalage 
Harry Potter and the
Deathly Hallows

Isobel Grime
The Hunger Games

Arthur Barnard
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

 Freya Feldborg
One of Us Is Lying

Ryan Aziza
Harry Potter and the
Chamber of Secrets

Jessica Davis
Good Omens

Sid Pant
Itachi's Story

Emily Chan
Les Misérables

Aysu Batmaz
Mrs Pepperpot Stories

Anna Barnard
Letters from the Lighthouse

My student Library Assistants have been on flag duty this week, and have made the library a proud and colourful place to be. Please come up to see the large collection of books for LGBTQ+ History Month, many of which were bought using money from our generous PTA. 

Mrs Carey, School Librarian

Student LGBTQ+ book recommendations

Heartstopper - Alice Oseman 

I recommend the graphic book series Heartstopper by Alice Oseman!  It’s a lovely book surrounding the lives of Nick and Charlie and their challenges that needed to be overcome to be accepted by their family and school as well as lots of light-hearted comedic scenes! It’s such a heart-warming series and Oseman is such a great writer and illustrator.  My favourite character is Oliver, Charlie’s little brother! This book is a must for anyone interested in reading LGBTQ+ books!

Jessica, Year 8

I really enjoyed the book  'Heartstopper' as it talks about the hardships and mental health issues that formulate due to homophobia. It shows that there isn't a shortcut to mental health recovery. I also liked the bond between Nick and Charlie.

Isabelle, Year 8

 

Heartstopper, Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Alex in Wonderland, Beautiful Music for Ugly Children, The Art of Being Normal and Buy Meets Boy are all amazing.

Alex, Year 9

The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller

Set in Ancient Greece, The Song of Achilles is a book following the hidden romance of Achilles, a half-god destined for greatness, and Patroclus, a banished prince.

As the friendship grows into something more, they're faced with a series of complex challenges and opposers to their relationship. A retelling of the
well-known story, Achilles and Patroclus are called to war and the test of their bonds are pushed to the limits. I love this book as it's not only a beautiful relationship, from friends to lovers, but also because of the different perspective provided.  I would recommend this book to not just ancient history/ history lovers, but to everyone - from age Year 9+.

Scarlett, Year 11

 

My Policeman - Bethan Roberts

I read the book My Policeman a couple of months ago. It is about three characters called Tom, Patrick and Marion, in which Tom and Marion are supposedly in a relationship with each other as Tom begins to fall in love with a museum curator he met called Patrick. As they play it off as a close friendship, their secret relationship grows behind Marion's back, as being gay was illegal at the time. I love this book because it's interesting to see the lengths people will go to, to be with the person they love and the risks they would take to conceal it at a time when they can't express their love. I recommend this book to Year nine and above. 

Mya, Year 11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2020 Penguin released a report on 'Diversity in Literature in English Schools' which found that fewer than 1% of students at GCSE study a book by a writer of colour.