Sheffield primary school unveils new library named after former staff member

A Sheffield primary school has officially opened its brand new library naming it in honour of a former member of staff.
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Valley Park Community Primary School, in Gleadless, was a hive of activity on Monday, January 27, as staff and members of the student council gathered to unveil their newly refurbished and restocked library.

They were joined by special guest Julia Wright, who up until recently worked as one of Valley Park’s school improvement partners and was adamant that the children developed a love of reading during their time at school.

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The library was renamed the Wright Library in honour of Julia, who officially opened the space and described reading as like having a “golden ticket” to allow pupils to where they wanted to go in later life.

Members of the school council at Valley Park Primary school in the new library.Members of the school council at Valley Park Primary school in the new library.
Members of the school council at Valley Park Primary school in the new library.

She said: “When I started as a school improvement partner this was the very first school that I came to, before that I had worked in teaching all my life and I just decided to give it a bit of a change.

“It was just after they joined the Mercia Learning Trust and I felt really privileged to be part of this school’s journey because it’s changed quite a lot since I first knew it and it’s now a really happy place to learn and I think it is a happy place to work as well.”

Representatives from the Valley Park School Association (VPSA) – a school fundraising committee made up of families and friends of Valley Park – were also present at the event to celebrate with the children and staff.

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Members of VPSA helped raise £300 to buy over 200 new books for the library and allow students to develop a love of reading from an early age.

Students Mia Blackwell and Rose Astrid reading in the new library at Valley Park Primary SchoolStudents Mia Blackwell and Rose Astrid reading in the new library at Valley Park Primary School
Students Mia Blackwell and Rose Astrid reading in the new library at Valley Park Primary School

As part of the special day, the group also held a short ceremony to relaunch the school hall which was renamed the Beatson Hall in memory of former student Terneesha Beatson, who sadly passed away last year after a battle with brain cancer.

Terneesha’s grandparents Linda and Keith Beatson unveiled a plaque outside the hall and thanked the school for their continued support.

Linda added: “It is a fantastic way to remember her and we feel so honoured.”

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