NEW SCHEME MAKES MILLIONAIRES OF NORTH WALSHAM STUDENTS
18 millionaires have been created at North Walsham High School, with one student becoming a double millionaire – all in the space of one term.
Students haven’t been doing the lottery, but taking part in The Millionaire Readers Club, which aims to get students reading. The Millionaire accolade is given to students who have read a million words in an ever-growing list of books stocked by the school’s library.
So successful has the scheme been since its launch in September that 18 students have passed the milestone, with one, 13-year-old year 8 student Nathan Saunders, reaching the double millionaire mark in just one term (see case study, below).
“We have been absolutely amazed at how successful the Millionaires Readers Club has been,” said NWHS Literacy co-ordinator Rob Breeze. “It has really encouraged students to pick up a book and read. We only started the scheme at the beginning of the school year, and by half-term we had our first millionaire, and now there are 18 of them.
“Even for those who don’t get to the magic million mark, knowing that they have read a certain number of words has proven to give a real sense of achievement, even for those for whom reading is more of a challenge.”
Qualifying books are stocked in the school’s library, and to score the word count, students must complete an online quiz about the book to ensure they have read and digested it.
Now the school is planning for even more millionaires next term, and even multi-millionaires before the end of the school year – which is posing a challenge for staff in the library. “We are buying books all the time to keep up with the demand from students who want to get reading,” said Mr Breeze. “The Club has really increased use of the library, and hopefully has encouraged students to get their noses into a book.”
Nathan Saunders – Double Millionaire
Year 8 student Nathan Saunders has read his way through a staggering 26 books this term, becoming the first double millionaire in The Millionaire Readers Club.
Nathan, who lives in North Walsham, caught the reading bug from his mum, who encouraged him to enjoy books from an early age.
The 13-year-old enjoys a range of fiction, including young spy novels, futuristic space books, and his favourite, Robert Muchamore’s Henderson’s Boys series.
“Some people think that it’s weird that I read so much, but the Millionaires Readers Club has helped to counter that, and show people that there are plenty of young people who enjoy reading,” said Nathan.
Top Ten Books
The most read books from North Walsham High School library for week ending 11th December
- Old School by Jeff Kinney
- Dog Days by Jeff Kinney
- The Weight Of Water by Sarah Crossan
- The Company Of Ghosts by Berlie Doherty
- Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney
- Divergent by Veronica Roth
- The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
- The Killing by Robert Muchamore
- Let It Snow by John Green
- My Sister Lives On The Mantle by A Pitcher