Summer is undoubtedly one of the most eagerly awaited seasons of the year, a time to relax, have fun and try new activities, all of which can be done within the pages of a good book. That is why from the College Librarian, Miss Mariane Pocas, has launched a challenge for St. Bede’s students; to share the book they have decided to immerse themselves in during the holidays, and the place from where they are reading.
Join the challenge and send a photo with your book, or a short video talking about it and why you love it to this email address (mpocas@sbcm.co.uk), or post your photos or videos via Instagram stories and mention the official St Bede’s account (@stbedes_manchester), so we can repost your recommendation and reflections.
Some of the teachers at St Bede’s have also joined the challenge by talking about their favourite books from their childhood, the ones that have inspired them the most or those they are reading over the summer. For Mr Sean Howes, Head of Department English, it was difficult to choose one, because as he says, “there are too many books to choose just one”. However, he didn’t have to think too hard to come up with a book that inspired him and sparked his love of reading: ‘The Lord of the Rings’. The legendary saga by J.R. Tolkien, one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, wich marked a before and after in fantasy literature.
Miss Sarah Camilleri, Spanish and French Teacher at St Bede’s, recommendes to her students, ‘The Open Veins of Latin America’, a book by the Uruguayan journalist Eduardo Galeano, which she read during her degree. It helped her understand the effects of colonialism in South America. In the same way, Miss Mariane Pocas recommends a guidebook by Alexander Harvard, ‘Virtuous Leadership’, a book that looks back at the classical virtues to present us with a model of leadership that enables us to face the challenges of our time in a more humane way, while working on the development of our own character.
However, for those who don’t dare to venture into this type of somewhat denser text, Miss Camilleri recommends any of Jacqueline Wilson’s books with their fun and crazy stories. Miss Pocas opts for the works of Enid Blyton, with endearing collections such as ‘The Famous Five Find’ which marked her first memorable adventures between the pages of a book.
The most fortunate participants of the Summer Reading Challenge were able to talk about the books they are reading or haver read during vacation. This is the case of Miss Mariane Pocas, who sent a picture reading ‘The Awakening of Miss Prim’ near Buckingham Palace, or Mrs Jenni Di Paola, German Teacher, who presented a book that she read last year in Cyprus. It helped her to understand the history and culture of the country: ‘The Island of Missing Trees’, by Elif Shafak. Likewise Mrs Rachel Prince, Head of Science, joined the challenge from Zakhyntos beach in Greece, where she has been accompanied by ‘Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine’ by Gail Honeyman. And finally, the first student to take part in the challenge was Matthew B, who sent in his book report of ‘The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Ghoul in the School’ of Marcus Rashford, from Miami beach!
Don’t miss the interviews with Miss Marianne Pocas and Miss Sarah Camilleri, to find out more about their favourites books, the benefits of reading and what this Summer Reading Challenge can bring to St Bede’s students