Pupils celebrate as new school library is opened
Yesterday (Monday 27 December) pupils, staff, parents and invited guests from the community came together at South Lodge Primary in Invergordon for a special celebration to mark the official opening of a new school library.
In September the school was presented with a plaque from Success for All UK, after the charity selected South Lodge to be its “flagship” for a new national literacy scheme. The Invergordon primary is the only school in Scotland delivering this programme and only 1 of 3 schools in the whole of UK to be granted “flagship” status.
As part of the project for an hour and a half each day the children are taught using novels, poetry, playscripts and non fiction texts in a structured way aimed to improve reading and writing skills and to inspire and encourage pupils to develop a love for books.
Plans for the new school library emerged as it became clear the area where old books were gathering dust was unloved and uninviting for pupils to spent time in.
Head Teacher David Hayes-MacLeod who spear-headed the project said: “The space we had before was very uninspiring and not conducive for young people to spend time in. As we all embraced being part of the Success For All literacy scheme, the attitude of picking up and reading books changed and it soon became clear everyone wanted to see a new library space.
“The pupils were involved from the very start. They designed the layout, selected the furniture and worked with staff, family, friends and the wider community to raise the money we needed. It was heartening to see how animated everyone got so to see the new library now finished and ready for pupils to enjoy spending time is a great moment for the whole school.”
A call for the community to donate books drew a huge response which means the new library is well stocked with new and pre-owned books for all ages and interests.
David added: “I would like to thank the pupils, staff and community for all their hard work in making it happen and wish all our budding writers and readers many hours of enjoyment in our new library.”
In the lead up to the opening pupils were encouraged to write to famous people to let them know about the project. P6 pupil Logan Mackay chose to send his letter to multi-Oscar and BAFTA award winning director, writer and animator Nick Park CBE, best known as the creator of Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep. To Logan’s delight he received a reply to thank him for his letter and during today’s celebrations, it was his job to open a special parcel sent by Nick Park with an amazing gift of a special Aardman Plasticene Set for Logan to create his very own model plus a signed photo of Wallace and Gromit. Also included for the new school library was a wonderful selection of books from Aardman Animations including Wallace and Gromit in the Wrong Trousers and Chicken Run.