"Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world and inspire us to explore and achieve, and contribute to improving our quality of life."

Sidney Sheldon (1917-2007) 
American Writer and Producer

St. Paul’s Academy has always been passionate about encouraging students to embrace reading. Each day, students are welcomed into a world of books and reading. We believe in using books to inspire curiosity, spark imagination, and engage students in meaningful ways. Our library offers a vast selection of books for students to enjoy, ranging from fiction and non-fiction to poetry, short stories, anthologies, classic literature, and dedicated sections for BookTok favourites, popular series, and exam preparation materials.

The library also provides access to computers, which are a valuable resource for students working on school work and homework. They allow students to access online learning materials as well as everyday programmes like Microsoft Word to complete projects and assignments. They also ensure that students have the necessary technology and resources to succeed in their studies, even if they do not have access to a computer at home.

 

The Aims of the School Library

• Help every member of the school community - students, staff, parents and carers
• Support the educational work of students and staff
• To include a habit of reading amongst children and encourage reading for pleasure
• Increase student's academic attainment and implement lifelong skills
• Promote access to the curriculum for all students
• To enable students to develop personal qualities - a sense of responsibility, initiative and independence

 

Opening Times
 

	BEFORE SCHOOL	BREAK TIME	LUNCH (P4)	LUNCH (P5)	AFTER SCHOOL
MONDAY	7:45 – 8:10	10:40 – 11:00	11:50 – 12:40	12:40 – 1:30	3:10 – 4:15
TUESDAY	7:45 – 8:10	10:40 – 11:00	11:50 – 12:40	12:40 – 1:30	3:10 – 4:15
WEDNESDAY	7:45 – 8:10	10:40 – 11:00	11:50 – 12:40	12:40 – 1:30	2:20 – 3:30
THURSDAY	7:45 – 8:10	10:40 – 11:00	11:50 – 12:40	12:40 – 1:30	3:10 – 4:15
FRIDAY	7:45 – 8:10	10:40 – 11:00	11:50 – 12:40	12:40 – 1:30	3:10 – 4:15

Dedicated Lunch Days

Monday: Year 7
Tuesday: Year 8
Wednesday: Year 9
Thursday: Year 10
Friday: Year 11

However, when we have timetabled lessons in the library during periods 4 and 5, the library will be closed to other students. Signs will be on the main entrance door to let students know a lesson is taking place and to come back at another time.

Some scheduled times may change depending on an event. During the exam season, lunches will be dedicated to the year group taking the exams, so they have a quiet place to revise before their afternoon exam. Students will be given notice when this happens.

 

Reading Cloud

Reading Cloud is a library management system to support literacy, encourages independent learning, helps drive parental engagement, and promotes reading for pleasure. With its focus on promoting reading for pleasure across the school community, Reading Cloud helps to develop strong readers with a passion for lifelong learning.

Our librarian uses Reading Cloud to keep stock of our inventory, check books out for the students and see what is overdue, while the students can use it to see what books are in stock, reserve a book to pick up and leave reviews for books they loved.

Our students can access the Reading Cloud by using their computer login and password:

 

Student Librarians

Many students take the chance to be involved in the running of the library as Student Librarians. They work when they choose and look after the library during the normal school day and library events. If they have worked hard, they earn themselves an award at the end of the term and have the opportunity to earn the title and badge of Head Student Librarian.

Our current Student Librarians are:

Year 11

Stuart (Head Student Librarian)
Lorena (Head Student Librarian)
Daisy
Victoria

Year 9

Chikamso
Israa

Year 8

Jaslyn
Kosi

 

Library Book Club

This year, the library will be introducing a Book Club! It will be after school on Thursday for Year 8. The book we will be reading is:

All That It Ever Meant by Blessing Musariri

"An outstanding YA novel of family love, loss, and life lived between two cultures, by an astonishing, super-stylish new voice."

'I'm going to tell you exactly how everything happened. Baba always says, Mati mwana'ngu, I love a good story but I don't have time for a long one, so make it short.'

When Mati and her two siblings travel from London to Zimbabwe with their father, they are forced to confront the knotty family dynamics caused by the loss of their mother. Along for the trip is Meticais, a fabulously attired gender-neutral spirit - or ghost? Or imaginary friend? - who only Mati can see and talk to.

Guided by Meticais's enigmatic advice and wisdom, Mati must come to terms with her grief and with the difficulty of a life lived between two cultures, while her family learn to forge their way in a world without their monumental mother. This is distinctive, stylish, powerful writing by a vital new voice.