By Mrs Johns (English Teacher)

Author Stephen King once described books as “uniquely portable magic”, and our Year 7 students have spent the year casting their own spells as part of our Read to Succeed programme at BGS. They’ve journeyed through children’s classics, wandered into poetry collections, and uncovered the truths of autobiographies – proving that a good book really can take you anywhere.

This week, 20 students were recognised in assembly for their commitment to reading, each earning a certificate for completing at least one of the Read to Succeed awards. From these readers, four have been specially selected to serve as our new Reading Ambassadors: Aanya, Zoë, Nyah and Lia. These ambassadors will support next year’s cohort by sharing recommendations, writing reviews, and championing the joy of reading across the school. A special congratulations goes to Aanya  and Lia, who both completed all 15 of the reading awards – an outstanding achievement that reflects true dedication and passion.

We launched Read to Succeed to make the benefits of reading accessible to all and to celebrate the joy of reading for pleasure. As J.K. Rowling reminds us, “If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.” So, if you and your child are looking for something new to enjoy over the summer, visit the Read to Succeed website for reading lists and inspiration.

Full List of Award Winners:

Ayla, Isabela, Lia, Amelia, Jess, Zaynah, Caitlin, Phoebe, Lily, Harriet, Izzy M, Izzy P, Samrutha, Aanya, Jazleen, Eleanor, Kuzhal, Emmy, Mia, Zoë and Nyah.