Book Week

National World Book Day was extended to a week-long literary celebration at South Hampstead this term.

At the Junior School, pupils concluded their sponsored readathon, raising hundreds of pounds to provide books and storytellers for children in hospitals; authors Abi Elphinstone and Ewa Jozefkowicz gave inspiring talks; and the whole community donned creative, literary-themed outfits, with Mrs Paramour (as one of many Alice in Wonderland characters) leading a joyful costume parade in the playground. Throughout the week, the focus was firmly on the pleasure of reading, with girls sharing books with friends from other classes.

In the Senior School, students organised a book swap and charity book drive; pupils debated against teachers on whether fan fiction has destroyed storytelling; and pupils in Years 7 and 8 embraced our ‘living book’ competition, working with their classmates to bring their chosen stories to life, transforming their classrooms into literary scenes. It was a joy to see the community come together to celebrate stories, creativity and imagination in so many different ways.

In the words of South Hampstead alumna Fay Weldon: “Truly, books are wonderful things… to sit alone in a room and laugh and cry, because you are reading, and still be safe when you close the book; and having finished it, discover you are changed, yet unchanged!”