Library

Welcome to St Catherine’s Senior School Library where ‘reading for pleasure’ and independent learning through purposeful private study are simultaneously encouraged by the large number of books available for loan and reference use.  There is also a collection of hard-copy magazines, as well as online Library resources available to students through our online Library system, ‘Oliver’. The Library also subscribes to the daily papers, including 3 foreign language newspapers. The librarian is always happy to receive book recommendations and reservation requests, and provide support in finding information.  

Highlights in the Library calendar include ‘Book Week’, celebrating literature in all its diverse forms throughout the school, and the Librarians’ Literary lectures, a joint venture with the prep. School promoting books and authors to the pupils, thereby extending their ‘reading for pleasure’ choices.

The Library is open 7 days a week and staffed by the Senior School Librarian from 8:30-5.30pm Monday -Friday.    Pupils can borrow up to six books for 3 weeks. The Library is available to Day Girls after school for homework.

Do come and visit the library to see the resources available to the pupils whilst at St Catherine’s.

Our suggested reading lists for current parents can be found here.  

Book Week March 2023

Our theme for Book Week celebrations in this Coronation year was ‘Royal Reads’, with an opportunity to dress up as a book character, historical or fictional, relating to the theme on World Book Day, Thursday 2^nd March.  Girls were encouraged to re-use and recycle items to create their costumes. Girls embraced the theme with Henry VIII and his wives, and the Queen of Hearts making appearances, among many others!

Anthony McGowan
28th March 2023

It was wonderful for UII and LIII to join together with girls from the Senior School to welcome author Anthony McGowan. His books have won many prestigious awards, the latest of which was the Carnegie award for ‘Lark’.

 

He gave an inspiring talk about his life growing up and how his life experiences have influenced his writing. He read an extract from his latest book ‘The Dogs of the Deadlands’ and talked about the importance of doing your research before writing a book.

His biggest tip for our budding authors was to read as much as you can and always carry a notebook down to jot down any ideas; he even made a note of one of our girl’s names while signing her book as he thought it would be perfect for a character in his next book!

• Karl Nova - September 2022 
• Robin Stevens - October 2019
• Geraldine McCaughrean - June 2019
• Linda Newbery - January 2019
• Katherine Woodfine - June 2018
• Jo Cotterill - September 2017
• Elen Caldecott - September 2016
• Frances Hardinge - January 2016
• Lauren St John - June 2015
• Julia Golding - September 2014
• Theresa Breslin - June 2014
• Michelle Paver - September 2013
• Lauren Child - June 2013
• Marcus Sedgwick - March 2013