Book of the week

Monday, May 20th, 2013

‘Steampunk! An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories’

‘Steampunk’ refers to the hugely popular style that incorporates futuristic elements in a Victorian-era setting. Be prepared for all manner of clockwork gadgets, airships, steam-powered machinery, corsets and top hats. This collection of short stories is the perfect introduction to the genre. Check out our student review of the book here.

Reading Racers celebrate victory!

Friday, May 17th, 2013

Our Year 7 Reading Racers prize ceremony was held last week in assembly to reward our reading champions.  Mrs Carah presented our prizes in the different categories.

First the winners of our grand prize – a trip to Crealy Great Adventure Park for the tutor group who read the most books in total.  With a fantastic 234 books read, the winners were Mrs Beale and 7KLB.  To the strains of Freddie Mercury singing ‘We are the Champions,’ Mrs Beale descended the hall steps to enjoy her moment of glory and receive her crown.

Next came the gold medal winners – all those students who had reached the Gold Lap of the Reading Racers challenge which involved reading 30 books.  Each of the 19 students received a gold medal and a WHSmith voucher from Mrs Carah.

Finally our Reading Racers Champions were announced – the girl and boy who had read the most pages in total.  This year they had read a combined 34,000 pages!  Well done to Susannah B and Shaun R for their fantastic efforts.  They each won a special illustrated hardback edition of ‘The Hobbit’ by J.R.R. Tolkien.   Year 7 should feel very proud of themselves.  Congratulations to all our winners and watch this space for news about our Crealy adventures later in the term!

‘Steampunk!’ – Student book review

Friday, May 17th, 2013

Book: ‘Steampunk! An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories’

Author: Various, including Cassandra Clare and Garth Nix

Review by: Joe B in Year 11

From the moment I first saw this book to the moment I finished reading it, I knew that I had found a solid, gripping book.  From cover to blurb I was gripped by the excitement and detail that has gone into this amazing book.

The first thing I noticed was the contents page.  I turned to it and already I was amazed at the interesting story names and already I was wondering what each individual story was about.  Then the excitement of this book continued as I read on into the introduction; such an interesting and vivid description!  The way the excellent language was used, the intruiging ways it has set up the words they use still has me gripping the book, begging for more, and the intricate use of different ways to make the reader want to keep reading this book is one of the things that makes me want to write this review.

And this is just the introduction!  I haven’t even begun to go into the greatness of the actual stories themselves.  I do not want to spoil anything for any future readers of this book so I will not reveal the plot, but I can assure you that they will make you laugh, cry and go back to the bookstore, bookshelf or the library you got it from and ask if they have anything else like it.  And each story just gets better than the last, including plot twists and turns that will make you beg the writer to bring out more.  And halfway through the book it turns into a comic with great graphics, detail to the characters and an even better dialogue.  Then it goes back to a worded story and I have to literally shut my jaw which keeps opening at the grandness and splendour of this magnificent book that is filled with tales and chronicles.

This book is the very essence of steampunk and I feel that there is very little that can actually compare to it, if there is anything that can at all.  I am glad that the librarian found me this book and I cannot wait to stumble across another work of pure brilliance just like it.  If I was to give it a rating I would not be able to because this book is too magnificent and so inspiring that I will be unable to give it a simple number.  But if I had to then I would give it 10/10 and a thousand more on top of that.

Book of the Week

Friday, May 10th, 2013

My Name is Mina by David Almond

Mina doesn’t fit in, some people say she’s crazy, but she just wants to be herself, to be happy. One night Mina picks up an empty journal and begins to write. Through writing her thoughts down Mina discovers more about herself, her thoughts and her dreams.

Book of the Week

Friday, May 3rd, 2013

The Escape by Robert Muchamore

It’s the summer of 1940 and millions of French civilians are on the run from Hitler’s advancing army. Meanwhile, after the death of their Father, two British children are being hunted by German agents. British Spy, Charles Henderson is determined to reach them first but he can only do this with the help of a twelve year old French orphan.

Zombie apocalypse a roaring success!

Wednesday, May 1st, 2013

Our lucky competition winners were rewarded last week with the much-anticipated trip to see ‘The Fast Show’ star and bestselling teen author Charlie Higson. Higson spent the day with students at Exmouth Community College and rounded off his visit with a presentation for specially selected students from several local schools.

The afternoon was introduced with the trailer for Higson’s latest book in his zombie series, ‘The Sacrifice’ and told about a worldwide competition to create the trailer for his next book.  To watch the trailer and learn more about the books and the competition, check out Charlie’s website.

Higson talked about his previous work in television comedy and how he became a writer, as well as his love for zombie horror films!  He was unimpressed with the current popularity of vampires – particularly the soppy vampires that teenage girls fall in love with (cough’Twilight’cough) – complaining that real vampires are savage bloodlusting monsters.  He prefers zombies and loves to make his books as scary and gore-filled as possible.  He made us all laugh with tales of using his sons as guinea pigs, reading them new chapters of ‘The Enemy’ as he wrote them, hoping to give them nightmares!

During the question and answer session Higson took two questions from West Exe students who asked intelligently about killing characters off (Charlie’s kids were all for this apparently!) and which charater he most disliked – the answer was a toss-up between David and The Collector, read the books to find out about these nasty pieces of work.  At the end of Charlie’s talk we had the opportunity to buy his book and have them signed.  We then travelled back to Exeter, happily reading our new books on the train.

We had a fantastic time on the trip.  Some impressions from students included:  ‘I thought he would be more serious but he was really funny.  I have  a better grasp on the books after seeing him.’

‘Author trips are really fun, I want to go on another one!

Book of the Week

Monday, April 29th, 2013

The Enemy by Charlie Higson

When the sickness, a deadly zombie virus arrived, every adult became ill. The lucky ones died, but the others are hungry and now only children under fourteen remain. A gang of children hear rumours of a safe place to hide, but can they make it across London and survive?
 

Books Wanted for Community Fayre!

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

The Community Fayre is coming up on the 11th May and the Library will be running a book stall.

If you have any books at home that you no longer want, please bring them in to the Library any time before the fayre so they can be sold.

Meet the Author Winners!

Thursday, April 18th, 2013

Well done to the lucky winners of our competition who came up with survival plans for the event of the zombie apocalypse! The winners are:

Josh S
Reece S
Charlie R
Tran N
Clarke D
Luke H
Oisin W
Nathaniel D
Nick B
Kat S
Abby T
Emma B
Matt M
Ashton B
Jake I

Here are some of their zombie survival tips:
* Obtain a robust vehicle like a Land Rover or riot van.
* Gather supplies such as tinned and dried food
* Pretend to be a zombie to blend in
* Seek out other survivors/TRUST NO ONE
* Find a safe place to go e.g. Dartmoor Prison, Alaska
* Gather weapons to fight off attack
* If attacked, destroy the zombie’s brain to kill it

Some fantastic ideas there, let’s just hope we never have to use them…..!

The 15 winners will be rewarded with an afternoon off school to see author Charlie Higson at Exmouth Community College. Photos to follow…

Book of the Week

Monday, April 15th, 2013

Hero on a Bicycle by Shirley Hughes

It is 1944 and Florence has been occupied by Nazi German forces. Despite this the Italian resistance movement have not given up hope and neither have Paolo and his sister. They only have a bicycle to help them against a whole army, but in extraordinary circumstances, people are capable of extraordinary things…

Wanna meet this guy?

Thursday, March 28th, 2013

To be in with a chance to meet amazing celebrity and writer Charlie Higson just answer this question and hand or email to Miss Draisey in the Library:

How would YOU survive the zombie apocalypse??

Plan your zombie survival strategy over the Easter holidays…..

Book of the Week

Friday, March 22nd, 2013

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Every year the Scorpio Races are ran on the beaches of Skarmouth. The riders know that to ride the water horses is extremely dangerous and may even lead to death. But still for some, the danger is irresistible…

West Exe Book Fair opens 21 March

Wednesday, March 20th, 2013

Following last year’s success, the Scholastic Book Fair is visiting the Library once more. The Book Fair will be open 21st-26th March 9am-4.30pm. Classes will be able to come and browse the shelves and parents are welcome to come in after school to choose books.

It will stock the latest and most popular Young Adult fiction and non-fiction, and there will also be posters and stationery to buy. The ideal opportunity to spend your World Book Day vouchers! Buying books will also help to get free books for the school Library, so come on down and have a look.

COMPETITION – To win vouchers to spend at the Book Fair simply send us the very best joke that you know! Answers can be given in to the Library for a chance to win (reading or Library-themed jokes are especially good).

Meet the Author Competition

Friday, March 15th, 2013

Win VIP tickets to see Charlie Higson, famous actor, comedian and author of the zombie series ‘The Enemy.’ He is seriously cool, I’m excited!

Simply answer this question in under 50 words:

How would YOU survive the zombie apocalypse??

To enter, email your answers to Miss Draisey or drop them by the Library by the 16th April. Good Luck!

Book of the Week

Friday, March 15th, 2013

Goodnight Mr Tom by Michelle Magorian.

Willie Beech is evacuated from London at the brink of WW2. Instead of being an ordeal, Willie finds that life is great in the care of old Tom Oakley. But a summons from his mother means he must return to London…

Book of the Week

Monday, March 11th, 2013

Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur

‘It was fun at first, playing house. Nothing to think about but TV and cheese. A perfect world.’ Eleven-year-old Aubrey is on her own after a tragic event. She is determined to hide away so she doesn’t have to face the truth. Can Aubrey begin to see that everything is not lost?

World Book Day vouchers issued on Thursday!

Tuesday, March 5th, 2013

Thursday 7th March 2013 is World Book Day. As always, we’ll be celebrating the day with a whole range of activities at West Exe.

At breaktime why not indulge in a spot of literary speed dating? Visit the Library, where the librarians will be championing their own favourite books and genres. You can speed date each librarian and then vote on the best presentation. We will also have the Scholastic book fair in school, where you can buy a fantastic range of the very best children’s literature, and spend your £1 voucher.

Every student will receive a £1 voucher. These can be spent on one of a special selection of £1 books, or redeemed against the value of a more expensive book. This year’s special £1 books are all listed on the WBD website http://www.worldbookday.com/books/. Participating bookshops will be displaying World Book Day posters and notices in their windows and in store. Tokens are valid until 24th March 2013.

Of course, our special big mystery event at lunchtime in the dining hall can’t be divulged yet, but it’ll be well worth being there to be part of it! Look out afterwards for news and photos.

World Book Day approaches…

Thursday, February 28th, 2013

World Book Day, a nationwide day to recognise and celebrate all things bookish, is nearly upon us! March 7th is the special day, and various events and activities will be happening throughout the school. Swing by the canteen at lunchtime perhaps…

Head Student Librarian the New Messiah

Tuesday, February 26th, 2013

The talents of one former West Exe student were highlighted at the end of February in KEVICC’s (King Edward VI Community College in Totnes) production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Freddie Garforth, a student here until July 2012 and former Head Student Librarian, had the honour of playing the lead role of Jesus. In a modernised version of the musical, featuring CCTV footage and news coverage of the events, Jesus’ status as leader of a very influential group and subsequent violent arrest and execution were explored with great commitment and emotion.

The set, built out of scaffolding and covered with graffiti from Jesus’ followers, served as gathering place, temple and eventual crucifixion site, and was lit to great effect to suggest the different scenarios. The scenes were enhanced by the use of projection, showing corporate logos (in the case of Caiaphas or Herod), news footage of Jesus’ arrest and CCTV shots of him being brutally beaten in prison. The costumes worn by Jesus’ followers (hoodies and jeans with boho hairstyles) suggested the disaffected youth that would be so seduced by such revolutionary thought, and had an almost hippie-like air of optimism in the idea of fighting violence with love and forgiveness. The priests and Herod wore the sharp suits and arrogant air of 1980s bankers, stressing their greed and interest in their own corporate image. After Jesus’ arrest, he was dressed in an orange jump suit and surrounded by fences of barbed wire, bringing to mind echoes of Guantanamo Bay and the mistreatment of prisoners.

The performances of the students involved were all superb and often impressively mature. The singing was excellent and carried out with conviction and depth of emotion, accompanied by a very able live band. But our own Freddie outshone them all with his pitch-perfect singing and involving acting. His portrayal of Jesus as an exceptional but confused young man, who doubts his role and questions his own faith, was both believable and very moving, especially the tragic denouement.

Congratulations to Freddie for his success, and we wish him the best of luck as he goes on to greater things!

Book of the Week

Tuesday, February 26th, 2013

Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Left in charge of the family petrol station, Dylan sees all the people that come and go, and even knows what their favourite crisps are. But what is that mysterious convoy of lorries doing, and what are they carrying…?

Book of the week – Artemis Fowl

Tuesday, February 12th, 2013

‘Artemis Fowl’ – Eoin Colfer – At twelve years old Artemis Fowl is already a criminal mastermind, but when he kidnaps a fairy, little does he realise what exactly he’s taken on.  These fairies are armed, dangerous and not playing by the rules…

Creative writing competition winners!

Saturday, February 9th, 2013

A creative writing competition was held by the library at the end of the Autumn  term. The brief was to write a story or poem based on the theme of fairy tales in fewer than 1000 words. We received many entries from students across the school. The competition was judged by Cathie Hartigan, chair of Exeter Writers and founder of CreativeWritingMatters. Cathie was very impressed by the standard of the entries received and eventually chose Euan M from year 9 as the winner for his  story, ‘A Twist on the Tale’ and Aiden V from year  7 as runner up for his entry,  ‘The Three Little Wolves’. Cathie came into school on the 6th of February to present Euan with his prize, a signed first edition of Phillip Pullman’s ‘Grimm Tales for Young and Old’ in assembly. Congratulations to both Euan and Aiden!

Pictured below, Euan with Cathie and West Exe assistant librarian Emma Coombes

BOTW – “Who Could That Be at This Hour?”

Thursday, February 7th, 2013

BOOK OF THE WEEK

“Who Could That Be at This Hour?” – Lemony Snicket
The first book in a new series, “Who Could That Be at This Hour?” begins to tell the story of a
12 year old Lemony Snicket who is apprenticed to an incompetent detective and starts by asking
all the wrong questions…

Competition Winners

Monday, January 28th, 2013

The winners of the writing competition have been announced – the winner was Euan M and the runner-up was Aiden V. The brief was to write a poem or short story based on the theme of Fairy Tales in fewer than 1000 words. The winners will be presented with their prizes by judge and local writer Cathie Hartigan on 6th February. Congratulations to Euan and Aiden for their great pieces!

Book of the Week

Monday, January 21st, 2013

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz.

He was a schoolboy, now he’s an MI6 spy! Alex Rider has completed extensive SAS training and is ready to embark on his first mission. Alex quickly finds himself in mortal danger – his first mission may be his last…

Where’s Wally competition

Thursday, January 17th, 2013

COMPETITION – ‘Where’s Wally?’ is 25 years old!  Walker books bring you this competition to celebrate.  Ten lucky winners will win a goody bag full of Where’s Wally? books and treats.  All you need to do is answer this question:

“Where would YOU hide to read a good book?”

To enter, email reading@readathon.org putting “Where’s Wally?” in the subject line of the email form.  Please include your full name, your age, the name and address of your school and your class. (It is VERY important that you give us the ADDRESS of your school, because there are lots of schools out there with similar names.  If you win, we need to send your prize to the right school!).  The names of the winners will be announced by the end of January 2013.

Book of the Week

Tuesday, January 15th, 2013

Pig Heart Boy by Malorie Blackman

Time is running out for thirteen-year-old Cameron – he needs a heart transplant and fast. The only way for Cameron to survive is a risky operation that’s never been done before… What will he decide?
Available to borrow from the Library.

Grimm Tales for Young and Old

Tuesday, December 18th, 2012

‘Grimm Tales for Young and Old’

Write a short story or poem to win a signed copy of Philip Pullman’s new book

Your piece must be:

• 1000 words or fewer
• Based on the theme of Fairy tales
• Submitted to the LRC by 21st December 2012

The entries will be judged by Cathie Hartigan; writer, chair of Exeter Writers and founder of CreativeWritingMatters.

The winning piece will be published in West Express and online at www.creativewritingmatters.co.uk

Book of the Week

Monday, December 17th, 2012

em>A Series of Unfortunate Events : The Bad Beginning By Lemony Snicket
When the Baudelaire children are orphaned by a terrible fire, they are sent to live with their cousin Count Olaf and their lives take an unfortunate turn for the worst…
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Book of the Week

Tuesday, December 11th, 2012

Tom’s Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce. A magical tale of a boy who discovers a garden that only appears when the clock strikes thirteen…

Book of the Week 3rd December 2012

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

‘Skellig’ by David Almond. Winner of the Carnegie Medal in 1998, this unique and haunting book will stay with you long after you turn the last page. A boy finds a strange creature in his garage. Who is he, and how will this affect things…? Read it to find out!

‘Skellig’ is available to borrow from the Library.

Book of the week!

Monday, November 26th, 2012

 ‘The Sky is Everywhere’ by Jandy Nelson.  A powerful and compelling book about heartbreak and the joy of falling in love.  Available to borrow from the Library.

Vacancy for a student librarian

Monday, November 19th, 2012

We have a vacancy for a student librarian, to help run the library and issue/collect books and help other students. Have you got what it takes?

If you are in Year 10 doing your D of E award, could this be your service element?

Collect an application form from the LRC today!

Reading Racers launches for Year 7

Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012

Reading Racers got off to a cracking start this week after the launch assembly on Friday.  All year sevens take part in this challenge to read as much as possible over the next few months, completing challenges along the way.  After each ‘lap’ they collect a badge and certificate, and score points for their tutor group.  At the end of the competition, the winning tutor group will be rewarded with a trip to Crealy Great Adventure Park.  The LRC has already been inundated with keen readers looking for a good book, and one person has already finished their green lap!  Good luck to all year sevens, and happy reading!

Farewell to Miss Shaw

Friday, September 28th, 2012

West Exe library manager Leah Shaw’s last day with us was Friday 28th September. Leah has done remarkable things in the library during her years at West Exe. We will remember her passion for books, her dedication to encouraging all who came into her library to read for enjoyment, her innovative and inspirational ideas for making literature come to life, her use of digital technologies to enhance literacy, and the quiet respect afforded to her by all. Perhaps her most noticeable triumphs each year were the Carnegie Medal shadowing group and their superb performances, and the events she organised for World Book Day, but whatever she did, Miss Shaw did it very well

She will be much missed by students and staff alike, and we wish her success and happiness in her new post in Bristol.

The student librarians and her colleagues have recorded their farewells and appreciation of her time with us in a video clip put together by Victoria L of Year 9.

Literary links

Sunday, July 22nd, 2012

STUDENT LIBRARIANS WANTED

Wednesday, July 11th, 2012

Your LRC needs you!

Are you responsible, hardworking and reliable?

Would you like to make a difference in the LRC?

If so, come and collect your application form from the LRC today. Applications must be in by 3pm on Friday, 13th July.

Carnegie Medal 2012 West Exe performance

Thursday, July 5th, 2012

Carnegie Medal Shadowing group 2012 – This year our Year 9 Carnegie group chose to create their performance based on the winning book, Patrick Ness’s A monster calls. We performed this on Carnegie Day to visiting groups from other local schools and former Carnegie Medal winner Mal Peet. See the performance here.

Stop motion animation of A monster calls – Kane B of Year 9 has produced an animation of the Carnegie winner! See it here.

Big Diamond Jubilee Read – final week!

Friday, June 22nd, 2012

Have you completed the challenge? Don’t forget to let your English teacher know so that you can be entered into the prize draw. If you are in Miss Wood’s group, please submit your completed passport to Miss Shaw. The deadline is FRIDAY, 29^th JUNE

New KS3 Chess and Origami clubs!

Monday, June 11th, 2012

ORIGAMI CLUB (Starting new this half term) – Friday lunchtime Week 2 in the LRC.  Make anything out of paper (e.g. aeroplanes and animals).  Join today

CHESS CLUB (Starting new this half term) – Friday lunchtime Week 1 in the LRC.  Play against your friends and challenge them.  We have chess boards like Simpson’s Chess!  Join today – ask James H and Travis M (8RTW) for details