Learning Resource Centre

Carmel Learning Resource Centre was officially opened on 24th June 2004 by Alan Milburn MP. This former Assembly Hall has been transformed into a Learning Resource Centre  and has  become an integral part of Curriculum Support, providing information and resources for staff and students. The LRC is open from 8.30 am until 5.00 pm (4.00 pm Fri) and provides computer access and library facilities for students throughout the day. 6th Form students have access in their Directed Study periods and have a dedicated area in the gallery for quiet study use. A Careers library is available with a comprehensive range of University prospectuses and access to Connexions Careers information.

Facilities/Resources
Computers - Internet Access/Printing
Reference books
Revision Guides
Selection of books to encourage reading for pleasure
Books to support curriculum studies
Magazines
Audio visual material
Photocopying
Presentation facilities
Sale items -  pens, pencils, rulers etc.
Display areas

Homework Club
The LRC is open from 8.30 -8.50 am  and 3.35 – 5.00 pm (Mon – Thurs)  and provides computer access and library facilities. Librarians and a member of teaching staff are available for guidance and support.

Students attending Homework Club, watching Bible Story Video

Reading Groups
Two Reading groups were  launched in 2005 and now meet every Friday lunchtime. It is a chance for students to enjoy different types of books, make new friends and take part in discussions with others. One of the initial topics included  participating in the ‘Carnegie Shadowing Scheme’. The Carnegie Medal is awarded annually to the writer of an outstanding book for children.  The Shadowing Scheme invites groups of readers to read the short listed books, assess them by the same criteria used by the librarian judges, and share their views with other reading groups. We look forward to repeating the process in 2006.

Other themes have included: fantasy books - past and present, sharing ‘my favourite book’ and issues for children today.

To celebrate World Book Day on 2nd March, Librarians  took members of their Reading Groups to St Bede’s Primary School for  story telling sessions with  the Reception and Year 1 classes. The students had studied children’s picture books, concentrating on the illustrations, story content and performance value. They considered all these aspects when selecting books to read. Both Carmel and St Bede’s children enjoyed the experience and hope to repeat it in the future.

Carmel students entertaining St Bede’s Reception class

Events

The 2005 Big Draw Project – Theme Heritage

The completed reproduction of Carmel ‘Old School’ originally began as a small illustration, approximately 120mm x 120mm.  This was cut into 28 squares and each square was enlarged until it reached the present size.

Each student was invited to shade in one square, using pastel crayons.  When all the pieces were completed they were joined together like a jigsaw to form the enlarged

result.  The students were encouraged to work as a team, and to consider the light and shading of the adjoining pieces.

Thanks to all students who gave up part of their lunch time to make the event such a success!

Thanks also to Mrs Saunders who had the painstaking job of enlarging the pieces!

Carnegie Shadowing Event

Two groups of students from Carmel Technology College have taken part in the Carnegie Medal Shadowing Scheme.  The Carnegie Medal is awarded by children’s librarians for an outstanding book for children and young people.  The shadowing scheme invites young people to read the short listed books, assess them by the same criteria used by the judges, and share their views with other reading groups.

A ‘judging event’ took place in Carmel’s Library & Learning Resource Centre on Thursday 7th July 2005, during which the students discussed the short listed titles before voting for their favourite book.  The students voted ‘Looking for JJ’ by Anne Cassidy as the clear winner, which echoed the shadowing choice nationally.  The official winner of the Carnegie Medal was ‘Millions’ written by Frank Cottrell Boyce.

Participating students were members of Reading Groups in the College.  Staff at the College had liaised with Darlington Library’s Children’s Services Assistant, Karen Fantarrow, who joined them for the event.

Two groups of students from Carmel College A Catholic Academy with their favourite titles.

Back Row L-R Calvin Kipling, Frances McFadden, Anna Seymour, Rachael Gordon, George hirlway, Laura Stockton, Jonathan Taylor, Rachel Bell, Jessica Brown.

Front Row L-R Elizabeth Sutcliffe, Anna Doherty, Stephanie Spence, Charlotte Lavin.

Back Row L-R Tom Kent, Paul McEvoy, Ben Leonard, Oliver Ferries, Jordan Hickman, Jonathan Wilkes, Jonathan Lumsden.

Front Row L-R Elizabeth Park, Megan Alexander-Weir, Charlotte McGarry, Samantha Worthington.

A Year 7 pupil at Carmel College A Catholic Academy, reads a book in the Lemony Snicket ‘Series of Unfortunate Events’.  Francesca, a fan of the series, selected the title from a range of books on display in the Library/Learning Resource Centre.  The Display tied in with the showing of the Film at the Odeon Cinema, Darlington and promoted other book stock also written in series format.

A Year 11 student enjoys Based on the Book display