SPECIAL guests officially opened a school’s long-awaited library last week having gone without for five years.
Local author and award-winning journalist, Michelle Rawlins, cut the ribbon at Penistone Grammar School last Tuesday evening - unveiling the new library.
The evening included speeches from Michelle and Sheffield author Nik Perring, along with the two authors presenting awards for the finalists and winners of the school’s poetry competition.
Students Flynn Rodgers, from year eight, Rosie Barnes, year nine, and Jake Cawthorne, year seven, won the top awards for their poetry entries.
Paul Crook, headteacher of Penistone Grammar School, said: “I know myself - and by speaking to staff and students - that it’s obviously a really exciting development for the school.
“We’ve invested a lot of time, energy and money into this library coming to fruition.
“We’ve also made a commitment for staff to change books over time - and to listen to students’ requests on what they would like to see on the shelves.”
Michelle - author of the Steel Women and Steel Girls series’ - added: “I adored libraries when I was little.
“I used to go to the library every weekend, but I never thought I’d become a writer.
“Even at 21 when I became a journalist I still didn’t imagine it.
“I really am honoured to have opened this amazing new library today.”
