Scarborough's St Augustine's celebrates re-opening of transformed school library
St Augustine’s Catholic School celebrated the grand re-opening of its renovated library, marked by a special ceremony.
The transformation, which took place over the summer, has seen the library turned into a vibrant hub, complete with soft seating, ambient dimmable lighting, brand-new furniture and digital information displays.
Students and staff alike have since enjoyed the upgraded space during lunchtimes, with activities ranging from quiet reading and book clubs to chess and 'Cosy Fridays'.
Speaking about the recent opening, Headteacher Miss Rosa Flanagan said: "We are thrilled to officially reopen our library space.
"Reading is foundational to everything we do here and seeing our students embrace this new environment with such enthusiasm has been truly wonderful.”
The opening event, which begun with a blessing from the Very Rev. Canon Edmond Gubbins, brought together key figures from across the school and local community, including Mrs Rachel McEvoy, CEO of St Cuthbert’s Catholic Academy Trust, school governors and representatives from the National Literacy Trust, alongside staff from Scarborough Museums and Galleries.
St Augustine’s say the opening comes in time to mark the National Year of Reading, a UK-wide campaign to reverse the decline in reading for pleasure.
The school says it ‘places literacy at the heart of daily life’, incorporating reading into morning registration and ‘Guided Reading’ embedded across the curriculum. Mrs Ruchelle Gomersall, Library and Literacy Lead, said: “Our goal was to create a space where every student feels inspired to pick up a book.
"The library is now a true beacon for literacy across our school and it has rapidly turned into a bustling core of student life and activity.”