On the 15^th January, the first ever ‘Drop Everything and Read’ (DEAR) day was held at Nottingham High School. 12 minutes of independent reading for students and staff at the start of every lesson. This totals an hour across the whole day. So, we decided to interview some students on about what they are reading and their thoughts on DEAR. 

What book are you reading? 

The Pact by Jodi Picoult 

What is it about? 

It’s about two teenagers who’ve grown up together, since they’re neighbours. As the teenagers, Emily and Chris, are so close they fall in love. However, one night their parents get a call that Emily has been shot and the other person there is Chris and the police suspect that Chris shot her. But only people to know the truth are both Emily and Chris but Emily is dead so only Chris an defend himself. 

Do you like your book? 

Yes, I love my book because it shows that even if you’re the closest person to someone you’ll never know what goes on in their mind. It also shows the pain and anger of someone keeping an important secret from you and how that one thing changed someone’s life. It can inspire you to open and tell people your issues instead of choosing the dead end: death.                                                                                                                          

What do you think of DEAR? 

I think it’s nice because you get time to read and it relaxes you for your lesson. 

Should we do it more often? 

Yeah, I think it would benefit a lot of people and it’s probably the only time of the lesson that will be quiet, which is nice. 

What book are you reading? 

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.  

What is it about?  

Starr Carter is constantly switching between two worlds — the poor, mostly black neighborhood where she lives and the wealthy, mostly white prep school that she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is soon shattered when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer. Facing pressure from all sides of the community, Starr must find her voice and decide to stand up for what’s right. 

Do you like your book? 

I like my book as it shows serious conditions in a controlled manner 

What do you think of DEAR? 

It is a very good program as it encourages people to read. People should read more often because it helps you in everyday life. 

Should we do it more often? 

I believe that we should do it more often, once a term would be good. 

What book are you reading? 

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. 

What is it about? 

It’s a really cool murder mystery about someone solving a past crime for part of a school project.  

Do you like your book? 

Yes, I think it’s really good.                                                                                                                            

What do you think of DEAR? 

I think it is a really good idea to allow students to relax and read. 

Should we do it more often?  

Definitely. 

What book are you reading? 

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness.  

What is it about?  

The Knife of Never Letting Go is set on a planet that has been colonized by a small group of Christian settlers from ‘Old World’, in a town nearby a swamp. Although the settlers have some high technology, they are mostly subsistence farmers. 

Do you like your book? 

I like my book as it is very intriguing. 

What do you think of DEAR? 

I believe this is a very good program as it encourages people to read. People should read more often because it helps you in everyday life. 

Should we do it more often? 

I believe that we shouldn’t do it more often, once an academic year is enough. 

What book are you reading? 

The Red Ribbon by Lucy Adlington 

What is it about? 

The Red Ribbon is a fascinating account of a Jewish girl’s incarceration in Auschwitz-Birkenau during the Second World War. Working in the camp’s sewing workshop, Ella befriends Rose, who teaches her to escape their harsh environment through telling imaginative stories. 

Do you like your book? 

I like my book as it is appeals to me very much and it can help me understand historical information. 

What do you think of DEAR? 

I think it’s only helpful for people who like reading, it can be stressful for people who don’t like reading. 

Should we do it more often? 

Yes, I believe that we should be done more often, once a term would be great. It helps to encourage people to read. 

What book are you reading? 

Beast of Buckingham Palace by David Walliams 

What is it about?  

Fly into a fiery and fantastical future, in an epic adventure of myth and legend, good and evil, and one small boy who must save the world. It is 2120 and London is in ruins. 

Do you like your book? 

I like my book as it is very intriguing. 

What do you think of DEAR? 

It is good, it encourages people to read. Many people don’t prioritise reading, People 

Should we do it more often? 

Yes, I believe that we should be done more often, once a month would be great. It helps to encourage people to read. 

What book are you reading? 

After the Fire by Will Hill. 

What is it about? 

This girl who survives after being in a cult for most of her life. 

Do you like your book? 

Yes, because I feel usually books show the before of the traumatic event and the end of the traumatic event. But this book is like after the traumatic event, so you get to see the healing process. 

What do you think of DEAR? 

I think it’s important because most people don’t have much time to read due to homework and clubs. 

Should we do it more often? 

Yeah, I think that would be cool. 

Happy new year from the journalism club. Whilst we put the finishing touches to a series of new articles, we would encourage you to have a go at a new quiz. If you can find the locations the images below were taken you will win a prize! Write your answers in an email or on a piece of paper and email Mr Kelsey at kelsey.ra@nottinghamhigh.co.uk or pop them to the Geography office. First person to send in all the locations wins! You must give the name of the classroom or a clear description to win. Good luck!!

Here at Nottingham High Journalism club HQ we wish you all a very merry Christmas. We have had a great year and enjoyed making a range of content for you all. Here is the winner of the Christmas card competition we held. The design was by Scarlett Bateman in year 7, well done! We look forward to covering a wide range of different issues next year.

Berega Hospital – Tanzania

At Nottingham High School Maples House has been donating money to Berega for many years. Based in Tanzania, the Morogoro Region, Berega Hospital is a very small hospital. The hospital is relied upon charitable donations and volunteers just like Dr Curnock. It serves an estimated 217,000 people who are extremely poor. These people will often live in poverty and very harsh conditions. It has a high amount of critically ill patients mainly children. The hospital has 4 wards : Male, Female, Maternity and Paediatric with a new Neonatal unit recently opened in 2016. We are not the only people who know about Berega in fact it has international fame. Even featuring in the New York Times.

Operation Orphan 

Cahul, Moldova… 

Winter temperatures can easily hit –30 Celsius, and many families must choose between heating the home and eating adequately. Now, however, a project sponsored by Operation Orphan, a Nottingham based charity, has alleviated this Hobson’s choice from the villagers by giving free winter clothing to every child. There are scores just like Cahul where Operation Orphan gives vital clothing to all. 

The charity aims also to solve many apparent LIC issues such as free education for both sexes, free or heavily subsidised healthcare, poverty relief and many more. Moreover, Operation Orphan provides emergency relief for those hit worst by natural disasters such as the occasional earthquake. Though they certainly try to help orphans worldwide, this charity is not limited in their charity by their name. Operation Orphan says that its integrity is at the centre of its overall actions, and its humanity helps it interact more with those who need it. 

Showing its humanity, Operation Orphan donates advent calendars to children in the care system to show that the vulnerable children have not been forgotten by society. Recently, the organisation held an exuberant charity ball to celebrate its tenth anniversary, with the proceeds going entirely to charity. 

Here at the High School, Mellers House has been donating to this Nottingham-based charity for many years to help all of the vulnerable people in the UK and worldwide gain a better quality of life. 

Student Journalism Article on Dr Sims

The Student Journalism Club interviewed the High School’s new Classics tutor, Dr Sims

He was new to the school in September 2019 and has fitted in very well with his colleagues.

What’s it like being a new member of staff; is it exciting?

Yes, it’s fantastic, the staff here are amazing!

What’s your favourite Pokémon?

Definitely Lapras.

How’s your first Half-Term?

It’s been fantastic. I’ve really enjoyed the new challenge of teaching secondary level from university. All my classes are hardworking and enthusiastic – I am so impressed.                

What’s the difference?

The co-curricular element is new so that’s nice, I’ve undertaken Classics Club, GCSE Greek as well as extra Greek off timetable.  Oh, and I did my first ever Parent’s Evening!

Have you ever heard about Joe?

Joe…?

What’s the High School like?

It feels like a staff family. Everyone’s really friendly and really smiley. This is a real strength.

Why should you take Latin?

Latin is a really rich varied subject and if you have an interest in history, varied culture, myths, philosophy, this is the subject for you. There’s really something for everybody.

Young Engineers 

Mrs Hanson – I have been participating in young engineers for 10 years (not in our school) and I have seen the benefits that the students get from it. I think that it is a great opportunity for young people who are interested in developing their design technology skills to a higher level of practical and theory understanding. 

The members are currently working on a Christmas themed activity, where they can create a certain festive item by using different techniques and therefore developing the ones they already have. Hector told us that doing this small project will lead up to a bigger one, testing a range of DT skills and give everyone a fun challenge.    

Mrs lemon, 

“I think it’s fantastic that the children in young engineering are going to be the forefront of tomorrows world.” 

Starting in 2016, works to redevelop the Broadmarsh area started. First came the plans of what to do and the budget of £250 million was given. This was just for the shopping centre alone. After this, in late 2017, the old Broadmarsh car park was demolished and in 2018 the bridge connecting the car park and the shopping centre was demolished also. Now in 2019 the construction of the new car park has begun, with the feature of new shops and facilities too.  

The plan for the new Broadmarsh is to create a modern social place for people to relax and shop at all throughout the day and the evening. Some of the new shops to open in Broadmarsh are things like a bowling alley, a 9-screen cinema and a handful of new restaurants that will give the new Broadmarsh a sense of community. There are a lot of people who think that the redevelopment of the Broadmarsh is long overdue and are excited to see what it entails. As am I. For as long as I can remember, I always used to go to the Victoria centre over Broadmarsh. In my opinion Broadmarsh lives in the Victoria Centre’s shadow, and I believe that this redevelopment will give it another chance to be used by the public.  

I am interested to see what shops will be included as after a while the shops that we have become boring as we have been to them for so long. It will be nice to have a whole set of shops for us to explore.  What do you think about the new development? Let us know your thoughts. Is this what Nottingham really needs?