Library
The library is open from 8.00 am until 4.00 pm every day so that students can read and complete homework. The library is a popular central area of the school and its main aim is to encourage reading for pleasure. The library is managed by a qualified Librarian who can work with students to find a book that is of interest and at the right level to develop their reading. A wide range of fiction, non-fiction, audio books, graphic novels, picture books, speed reads and careers books are available plus a selection of e-books and e-resources.
Visits during lessons are tailored to teacher requirements and include KS3 fortnightly reading lessons.
Resources Online
This is the online catalogue of all books students and staff can find in the Fernhill School Library. Students may logon to check their account by using:
Username: school network username. e.g. lbloggs18
Password: date of birth in an 8 digit format e.g. 19042007
E Books
https://fernhill-hantssls.wheelers.co/ A wide range of audio and e books.
Username - student's email eg: Iread20@fernhillschool.org.uk
Password:
Year 7: ebooks
Years 8 - 11: 1234BKS
Sora - Free Ebook and audiobook platform https://soraapp.com/welcome
Completely free, the app is available to download in app stores. Once the app is installed, students select their school and sign in using their school username and password. Sora can also be accessed through students' school gmail accounts, simply click the nine little dots in the top right of the email screen and scroll down to SORA. Students can read magazines as well as ebooks and audio books.
Access to newspapers and current affairs is provided through First News, the I Paper, Farnborough News & Mail and The Day, an online newspaper sent to all tutor groups and staff to encourage enthusiastic reading.
Author Visits
Chris Bradford – Tuesday 10th March 2020.
Big Book Quiz
Year 8 and 9 students form a team to take part in this county wide book quiz. The final takes place at the prestigious Discovery Centre in Winchester and the winning team receives a winners’ cup, books and book tokens.
Hampshire Book Award
Every year students in Year 8 take part in the Hampshire Book Award, an opportunity which develops critical thinking and debating skills and challenges students to read books they may not otherwise attempt. Students who successfully read all six books and complete work associated with the award are invited to the award ceremony to meet the winning author.
Writer in Residence
https://beccipoet.wordpress.com/becci-louise/
Becci Louise Hudson (former student), Performance Poet and Educator, runs a residency programme in Fernhill’s library, initially supported and funded by the Foyle Foundation and the Ernest Cook Trust. Becci is in school every Tuesday and runs small group reading activities with the librarian to help students improve their reading and writing ability in preparation for GCSEs and adult life.
Becci runs a writing group during lunchtime and after school, 'Write Time'; both are open to students from all years. Becci also supports students who participate in the Year 8 Hampshire Book Award and T+ Book Award for older students, helping them to enjoy the deeper meaning within each book.
Students participating in any of the above activities have written some truly original, emotive and funny work. Creative writing from workshops is regularly and successfully submitted to competitions, for example The Rotary Club Young Writers Competition. Teachers have found that students who regularly participate in creative writing workshops improve their attainment, are more focused and develop a greater sense of self -worth and self- belief.
We look forward to welcoming your child to the library to enjoy taking part in Becci's workshops.
Parental Support
Parents can help their children by taking an interest in their reading choices, helping them choose books and listening to them read. Share reading too; we all like to listen to a good story.
Join your local library! It’s free and there are loads of resources. In addition to books you will find e-books, DVDs, online encyclopaedias to help with homework and summer activities. For more information go to the Hampshire Libraries and Information Service website.
Other Useful Websites
Fantastic Fiction - bibliographies for over 30,000 authors, information on over 350,000 books.
Reading Matters- a website about books and ideas for children and teenagers.
YouTube - great for book trailers but use with caution and parental guidance.
Clubs
Student Librarian Team
The library is supported by an enthusiastic team of students. Competition for a place on the team is high and prospective team members are invited to apply and be interviewed. Commitment is required as the library is a busy working environment - in the past students have been able to gain further work experience based on their contribution to the library.
Library Club
Library Club is open to all year groups and runs every Wednesday after school, 2.50 pm – 4.00 pm. Students discuss books, create displays, take part in quizzes, help with general library tasks and have the opportunity to have first pick of new books and trips.
Manga Club
Manga Drawing Club runs every Tuesday lunchtime, all enthusiasts welcome!