Carnegie Shadowing Conference

Last Wednesday 11 June, 12 of our Year 8 and 9 students were lucky enough to be invited to Kennet School to their Carnegie Shadowing Conference, where they joined with students from four other schools in the Newbury area.

Students, who have all taken part in our weekly Carnegie shadowing groups where we read this year’s Carnegie shortlist and discuss the books, had submitted their favourite books and were put together with other students to create a presentation, or piece of artistic or dramatic work, to explore themes and characters of their chosen book, and show how the book made them feel or think.

Mr Matthias and Mrs Hewetson were so proud with how well the students conducted themselves and launched themselves enthusiastically into the challenge. Asmi, Harriet, Poppy, Shreyash, Jacob, Raphael, Josh, Millie, Eleri, Charlie, Mabel and Alice were incredible ambassadors for reading and worked so well with the students of Denefield, The Willink, The Downs and Kennet schools to give presentations about their favourite books.

Josh (8E2) said, “At the Carnegie Shadowing conference we were put into groups based on our favourite book and we had to create something to showcase that book. My group had chosen The King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore, which is an amazing book about teenage male toxicity and the influence of friends. We made a collage picture of the lifeboat that the main character Anton had painted in the book but using the main characters, as Anton thought he was helping Matthew but really it was the other way around. I really liked meeting other people from the other schools and talking about the books that we had enjoyed reading. At the end of the day, Little Bang by Kelly McCaughrain was voted the book we all thought would win the prize. Thank you to Mr Matthias and Mrs Hewetson for accompanying us on the trip and to Mr Evans, Mrs Hewetson and all the other staff who have been involved in the shadowing groups. We are all looking forward to our St Bart’s Carnegie party when the winner is announced.” Joshua Cloke (8E2)

Mabel (8P2) said, “We all had an amazing time at the Carnegie conference at Kennet School. We were placed into groups with people who shared the same favourite books as us, and we worked as teams to create presentations about our books. I really enjoyed getting to know everyone whilst bonding over a shared passion for reading. I especially loved the biscuits! I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone taking part in Carnegie club!”

Raphael (8D2) said, “I thought the Carnegie Shadowing trip was really enjoyable and productive. We did some fun things, like giving a presentation on our choice of book (in groups) and watching others do theirs. We did amusing activities and worked together with other people from other schools. The funniest performance was the Glasgow Boys performance with some people from Bart’s!”

Asmi (8P2) said, “I really enjoyed the Carnegie Conference as I got to talk to new people about books we all loved. I also really enjoyed the presentations where using our collaborative skills we worked together to create something amazing. My group made a drama to show some of the different characters’ perspectives.

Millie (8P2) said, ‘ I really liked how we met new people and worked collaboratively to create something we were proud of.’ Overall, it was a great experience.”