World Book Day at South Norwood

World Book Day – Harris Academy South Norwood!

So - we were all in this together and oh what fun we had! So the challenge went out: Staff had to dress up as literary characters found in books from the 18th and 19th century; and what a fabulous response we had! Mr Darcy was a treat to behold; Elizabeth Bennett, Scarlett O'Hara, Amy from Little Women, Gulliver, the Phantom of the Opera, Fagin, Oliver to name but a few. Over forty teachers dressed up to the nines and the students were simply thrilled and confused by all of their teachers dressed up in the most remote, eccentric bold outfits of the season. We were hardly on ‘trend’ as far as fashion experts would say. However, the staff here at Harris Academy sold the idea to the students that we love books; we love literature and we love the idea of learning about books. Books books books!!!

Some of the exciting events that took place during World Book Day were: Students wrote about their favourite books or what a particular book meant to them. Some students realised that even if they had said 'I don't like reading' that actually books have given them a lasting personal memory at some point in their lives. ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ proved to be a book beloved by nearly all of us. Staff also took the time to share their favourite books or books that they believe changed the world during their life time. Books such as ‘Beloved’ written by Toni Morrison were shared amongst students and students genuinely showed real engagement and enthusiasm with the text.

The English Department obviously held a competition for students to vote for their favourite World Book Day character. The two teachers who won the students vote as the best characters were Ms. Mckeown as an 18th century zombie and Mr. Parry as Gulliver. I am now hatching my cunning plan as to how I will win next year...