Skyhawk

The school had a visit from the publisher Oxford Press this week. Their recommendation for a great book to read this year......Skyhawk by Gill Lewis. It is a touching and thoroughly enjoyable book about what happens when two Scottish children discover an Osprey and have to struggle to protect the rare birds at all costs. The main characters are Callum and Iona and the story is also about how the discovery of the Osprey pushes them into forging a friendship. Michael Morpurgo said of Skyhawk - "Here's a rare thing, a novel, and a first novel too, that opens your eyes, touches your heart, and is so engaging it almost turns the pages for you."

Carnegie Medal 2012 shortlist announced!

My name is Mina by David Almond; Small change for Stuart by Lissa Evans; The midnight zoo by Sonya Hartnett; Everybody jam by Ali Lewis; Trash by Andy Mulligan; A monster calls by Patrick Ness; My sister lives on the mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher; Between shades of gray by Ruta Sepetys. The winner will be announced on June 14th! Check back here for details of the Hub Carnegie Shadowing Group coming soon.......

The Carnegie Medal for Outstanding Children's Book

The shortlist for the 2012 Carnegie Medal will be announced on Tuesday 27th March. All of the shortlist will be available to borrow from the Hub after the Easter break. Previous winning authors include: Patrick Ness, Neil Gaiman, Meg Rosoff & Frank Cottrell Boyce for "Millions." http://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/home/

Borrow a Kindle

Did you know you can borrow a Kindle from the Hub? Over 30 students have already done so in the last 4 months. Each Kindle has over 60 books pre-loaded to enjoy. Ask at the Hub for more details.

(If you've already borrowed one, you can of course   borrow one again!)

New DVDs just in!

You may have read the original books, now try the new film versions of Tintin, The Help, Jane Eyre, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, We Need To Talk About Kevin, and all 8 Harry Potter films. Or if you're studying English Language why not borrow Fry's Planet Word, recently shown on BBC 2. Something for everyone to enjoy in that selection.....

The Hunger Games

The most anticipated film of the year opens in cinemas this Friday. Why not borrow all three parts of the series (The Hunger Games; Catching Fire; Mockingjay) from the Learning Hub now and see how your imagination compares to Hollywood!

What shall I read next?

Don't know which book to read next or wondering who writes like your favourite author? For a guide to children's fiction why not try the Who Next Guide?, or for adult fiction try Who Else Writes Like?.  Both of these websites can be accessed throught the school's VLE.

BBC's 500 words competition

I've just finished judging 36 stories sent to me by the BBC. These were stories submitted from schools in another UK region. If you entered a story, it is probably being judged right now...... http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/500words/2012/

Welcome!

Welcome to the new blog for the International Learning Hub at Upton-by-Chester High School. This is where you'll find out what's happening in the Hub, what's new, what's coming soon, competitions, challenges etc. ........