Pupils and staff at Holy Cross High School in Hamilton were delighted to learn that a motion had been lodged in favour of their Reading Cafe podcast.
Courtesy of Stephanie Callaghan MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, the Scottish Parliament informed the school that they were "inspired" and "impressed" by the Reading Café and very excitingly, a motion to "celebrate and acknowledge the innovative work" was lodged in the Parliament.
The Reading Café is a termly podcast presented by Sixth Year Reading Leaders aimed at getting people talking about reading.
In each episode, pupils aged 12 to 15 participate in ‘book club’-style discussions based on a variety of topics about books and characters they have enjoyed.
The podcast has been very successful and is now developing to include special interview episodes featuring the school's young people talking with popular writers who have captured their imagination.
The first of these being recorded this month with the author Robin Stevens, the writer of the hugely popular Murder Most Unladylike series.
In the motion it states: "That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the innovative creation of podcasts by the S6 Reading Leaders at Holy Cross High School in Hamilton to encourage greater reading for pleasure; enhances reading culture across the school community and increases parental engagement and applauds the hard work of the S6 pupils and wider school team at Holy Cross High School in their ambition to promote the enjoyment that can be derived from reading and the love of a good story via pupil-led podcast conversations."
The school's English teacher, Peter Kelly, told Lanarkshire Live : "The podcast has been going down very well with pupils and parents alike as it offers a unique opportunity for families to hear their children engaging in discussions at school.
"The Reading Cafe has also received support from the Scottish Book Trust and is featured in the current issue of Teaching Scotland magazine.
"We are overwhelmed with the support and delighted to have received a motion in Parliament too."
To listen to the podcasts please head online.
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