Orchard House School was transformed into a literary wonderland as students and staff came together to celebrate the joy of reading during our annual Book Week. The week was packed with exciting activities, inspiring author visits, and creative storytelling sessions that ignited imaginations across the school.
One of the highlights of Book Week was the Poetry Showdown. Throughout the week, children learned poems off by heart and performed them in class. One person or group from each class was chosen to perform at the Poetry Showdown in assembly on Friday in front of the entire school. The performances included a mix of famous poems and original works written by our talented students.
We were also fortunate to welcome award-winning author and illustrator Zehra Hicks, who visited Forms 3-6 and Reception. Zehra has written and illustrated eight books, and her work is published in over 25 countries. She led exciting workshops with each year group, inspiring students to explore their own storytelling and illustration skills. Additionally, award-winning illustrator Garry Parsons visited children in the Nursery, Forms 1, and 2 on Wednesday, 5 March. Garry has illustrated over 100 children’s books, including the bestselling picture book series The Dinosaur That Pooped by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter. His visit was filled with fun and creativity, as he shared insights into his work and engaged students in the world of illustration.
Our Year 6 students took on a leadership role by organising a book drive in partnership with QPR and The Children’s Book Project. Families collected unwanted children’s books from home, which were then donated to schools in need in the White City area. This initiative helped spread the joy of reading beyond our school community.
Another much-loved activity was ‘Drop Everything and Read.’ At random times throughout the day, a sound was played over the tannoy, and everyone in the school, including staff, stopped what they were doing to read their book. This unexpected reading break made reading even more exciting and enjoyable for everyone.
Adding to the excitement, parent mystery readers visited classrooms to surprise their children by reading a book or a few pages from their favourite story. The joy and curiosity on the children’s faces made this a truly special part of the week.
We also held a photography competition where students submitted pictures of themselves reading in funny, interesting, or unusual places. Some standout entries included children reading on the roof of their car, upside down on monkey bars, on the football field mid-strike, in the swimming pool at swim club, in an orchestra with books on their music stands, and even in a fallen tree.
To round off the celebrations, everyone dressed up as their favourite book characters for World Book Day, filling the school with an array of beloved literary figures. From classic fairytale characters to modern heroes, the vibrant costumes brought the world of books to life in spectacular fashion.
Book Week at Orchard House School was a truly enriching experience, celebrating the magic of books and inspiring a lifelong love of reading. A huge thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this event such a memorable success!
