This year, World Book Day at Banstead Prep coincided closely with Science Week, inspiring Mrs. Dziedziela, Head of English, to theme the event around animals and adaptation. Many beloved children’s books feature animal characters, often shaped by their real-life behaviours – foxes are cunning, lions reign as kings, and mice are small but intelligent. These traits are also reflected in our own Learner Power animals, reminding us how creatures use their initiative to thrive in challenging environments, and what we, as humans, can learn from them.
Books provide a gateway into understanding how animals survive in the wild, making this year’s theme especially fitting. We were thrilled to welcome visiting author Catherine Barr, a specialist in non-fiction narratives about wildlife and adaptation. Every child had the opportunity to participate in a workshop with Catherine, exploring fascinating stories of survival and change.
During the Year 5 & 6 workshop on Fourteen Wolves, Catherine shared insights from her adventures in Yellowstone Park. She spoke about the reintroduction of wolves to the park and the profound impact they had on its ecosystem, sparking curiosity and lively discussions among our students.
A huge thank you to all the parents who attended the book sale after school, where Catherine signed books for our families. It was also wonderful to see so many children embracing the theme with creative costumes and handmade masks. Throughout the day, classes engaged in shared reading activities and enjoyed listening to stories, further celebrating the joy of books.
Our Pre-Prep children also took part in a ‘Design Your Own’ competition, showcasing their artistic and literary creativity. Congratulations to all who entered, and a special well done to our winners (to be announced soon)!
At the start of the term, we were excited to introduce our new Library Club, held on Monday lunchtimes for students who love reading, discussing, and writing about books. This also includes a special story time session for our Pre-Prep children. As the term progresses, we look forward to launching our Easter Reading Challenge—a fun way to continue fostering a love for reading at home.
Thank you to everyone who made this World Book Day a roaring success!
