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Our girls have won a World Book Day Award runners up prize for a 3D installation they created to show all the stories that are inside their heads.

The girls used pictures embellished with paint, tissue paper or their own doodles to express their thoughts, emotions and personalities.

“They created personal story portraits which represent the tales that live inside them,” says Clare Stanhope, Head of Art. “We wanted to pose the question ‘What is your story?’ If we could see your thoughts what would they look like?”

“We saw each other’s personalities”

Students found inspiration in everything from national flags, food and animals to toys, consumer items and flowers. Anything that filled their minds.

Ayat, Year 8, said: “It was really fascinating because we saw each other’s personalities. I used pictures of the stuff I enjoy doing like knitting, gardening, art and animals.”

“I am full of energy! I want to show that,” one student exclaimed as she created her ‘story’ from different images. Another student picked an image and immediately knew to give it to someone else. “I knew that image was hers, it looks like her, it’s neat and considered,” she said.

“A whirlwind of sharing ideas”

Once completed, the collages were then suspended above a central chair, so the girls could sit surrounded by everyone’s stories.

“You can sit inside the images and let them trigger your own thoughts at the same time as being surrounded by everyone else’s,” said Ms Stanhope. “It’s like a whirlwind of sharing ideas.”

The project was inspired by Millie’s Marvellous Hats, a story in which a girl who cannot afford the hats she loves creates them from her imagination. Wherever she walks, she creates an imaginary hat inspired by what she sees around her.

Rich cultural mix

“We wanted to delve into the rich and culturally diverse mixture that is our school, and share these stories as an installation,” added Ms Stanhope. “It’s about creating a space which encourages contemplation and reflection, a space to enjoy the stories of others but also reflect on our own.”

“The collages were all very different,” said Chris Brown. “We did wonder whether everyone’s collage might be similar but not at all, they were all very individual.”

The World Book Day Award is an annual competition designed to inspire reading and a love of stories. We’re hoping to put the installation on permanent display at the school for all students and teachers to experience.