12/01/2026
Good afternoon everyone
I wish you all the best for a great 2026.
It has been a while since I posted anything. Firstly, a look back at 2025. Students at the 3 schools, Athlone High, Spes Bona High and Windsor High borrowed 2021 books during the year. While that is very pleasing, it is about so much more than just numbers.
It was wonderful to see some readers pushing, stretching themselves on their reading journey, as they tried more challenging books or new genres, often coming back wide-eyed from their latest 'adventure'. By contrast, watching some students take their first tentative steps into reading, often via Manga, comics or graphic novels, was equally rewarding. There were other firsts, such as seeing a student finish a book in a week for the first time in their life, or students rapidly devouring a whole series.
In 2026 I'm hoping simply for more of the same, with your support. A huge thank you to all of you who helped or supported in any way - it was most appreciated.
For those of you in Cape Town I would also like to formally invite you to the 2025 "Reading is Kwaai" Book Awards which will be held at Exclusive Books, Cavendish at 9 am on Saturday 14 February. (It won't take longer than an hour at the most.) The top 2 students from each grade at each of the 3 schools who read the most books in 2025 will be honoured with certificates and Exclusives gift vouchers. It would be lovely if you could attend. Please let me know if you will be coming so we know how many to plan for.
Warm regards
Nigel Mortley
