A holiday, especially between school or college terms. Originally it referred to the students and staff emptying out of the school or college buildings between terms. Vacans – empty (Latin). ate – to make into, become, put into action. tion – act, process, result of. We decided to re-visit...

A huge thank you to all the students who entered our recent Short Story competition.  Each entrant was entered into a free prize draw for a chance to win a set of six brand new novels to read over the summer holidays and I am delighted to announce that Alissa Vergara in 7F was...

To find out, recognise or show the characteristics of something or someone. Idem – the same (Latin). ity – state of. fy – to make into, become, put into action. Link words: Identity, Identical. Identifying something involves recognising features that are always the SAME. Identifying...

The act or result of looking at something again, such as subject notes in preparation for an exam. A revision can also mean making a change to something, i.e. ‘we revised our trip itinerary when snow was forecast’. Re – again, back. vis – seeing (vid). sion – act, process, result of...

Dear pupils, This is your final reading booklet of the academic year. This week you should spend your 30 minutes reading time each day working through Reading Booklet 12. Reading Booklet 12 is an extract from ‘Jaws’, a novel written by Peter Benchley. It tells the story of a great...

To look at two or more things closely in order to see what is similar or different about them, or in order to decide which one is better.  Co/com – together, with, altogether. par – equal. Link words: Incomparable, disparage, disparity, nonpareil.