Pupils bring books to life in shoebox challenge

Diorama competition

Hereford Cathedral School pupils have been inspired to recreate a scene from their favourite stories in a diorama competition for World Book Day.

HCS librarian Mrs Ayers-Nelson has been hugely impressed with the standard of entries, which have featured scenes from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Michael Morpurgo’s Private Peaceful, Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree, and even Brothers Grimm tales. There were also two staff entries: Mrs Boon created a scene from The Snow Goose by Paul Gallico, while Mr Stanley created a Roald Dahl themed entry.

Sunaina

The overall winner was Year 8 pupil Sunaina R, who recreated a stunning scene from Katherine Rundell’s book The Explorer. The three highly commended prizes went to Summer R (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone), Issy C (The Elves and the Shoemaker) and the joint Private Peaceful entry from Joseph P, Rafferty Y, Oliver F and Dylan S (all pictured below).

Summer
Issy C
Private Peaceful

HCS librarian Mrs Ayers-Nelson said: "The response was wonderful. The standard of entries for this competition was stunning. Both Miss Greenhough and Mrs Clarke were the judges and took a long time deciding. We loved the fairy lights on Summer's and the wide mix of materials in Joseph, Dylan, Oliver and Rafferty's box. Issy's was meticulous and beautifully presented. Sunaina was the winner; the drama of the moment she had chosen, the mix of materials and the opened top of the box, which gave a bigger backdrop, carried the day."

A selection of the competition entries is now on display in Old Deanery reception.

Ivan F