Clongowes will be among the first schools in the country to receive a Wellread National Award recognising the value that we place on encouraging boys to read as part of their personal and academic development.
The PDST Wellread National Award is a national initiative designed and organised by the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST). It aims to create heightened awareness about the importance of creating a culture of reading in school communities.
A portfolio was submitted in May documenting the whole school reading community that Clongowes has endeavoured to develop. Highlighted were various reading activities, initiatives, promotions and events run throughout the year. Included also were our goals for the year, such as the establishment of the 2nd Year Book Club, partnership with parents on an author event, cross-curricular activities and use of Web 2.0 technology to promote the library and reading.
Thanks to everyone who supported this endeavour. In particular students who are regular library users, students who are members of the 1st Year and 2nd Year book clubs, students who participated in reading challenges, students who gave their voices to the portfolio, Transition Year students who produced Book Trailers, art students who created the wonderful cut-out book characters, students who dressed up on Book Character Day, House Leaders and students who’ve made the Literary Quiz such a successful event, staff who borrow books from the library, staff who dressed up for Book Character Day, staff who attend the Staff Book Club, teachers who facilitate D.E.A.R in their classes, teachers who visit the library with their students, parents who supported the Shackleton talk, especially Roisin O’Connell-Hussey and Aiffric Egan who made the event happen. Thanks, in large part also goes to school management for their constant support and financial assistance.
The award is affirmation that a strong reading culture has been established in Clongowes. Its pursuit has been a worthwhile endeavour developing greater partnerships whilst exposing us also to new ideas from other schools. In a sense we have become part of a wider reading community that exists beyond Clongowes.
We are to retain the Wellread School title for the next 3 years. We look forward to presentation of a plaque at the Wellread National Award Ceremony in the autumn.
