Book vending machine donated to Flintshire high school

Students and staff at Argoed High School were excited to attend the launch of the book vending machine, which was shrouded in a canopy of balloons to celebrate its arrival. Also in attendance was Laura Heywood, the parent governor who had donated the machine, and Cllr Mared Eastwood, chair of the council, and also a school governor.

Prior to the cutting of the ribbon, Mike Lofts, assistant headteacher, held a special assembly for years 7 to 9 to explain how a new rewards system to recognise students' achievements in literacy will work.

Laura Heywood and Cllr Mared Eastwood with students at the launch of the new book vending machine.

Students will have a specially printed Argoed Reward Card, much like a coffee house loyalty card, and when students achieve 90-100% in a book quiz, worth 1 point or more, they will receive a stamp on their card. If students achieve their half-termly reading target, they will receive another stamp on their card. After filling the card with 20 stamps, students will receive a token which they can then use in the book vending machine to select a book of their choice.

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In addition, another initiative introduced by the school whereby students who read one million words and become 'millionaires', will offer students another way to automatically gain a token, and subsequent tokens when they become 'multi-millionaires'.

Assistant headteacher Mike Lofts leads a special assembly about how the new rewards system will work in conjunction with the book vending machine.

Mr Lofts said: "We are proud to celebrate a culture of reading at Argoed, and the vending machine will help us to reward students who embrace this culture. It has already caused a real buzz and there is much excited talk amongst students about how they are inspired to achieve their goals and be rewarded with a new book. It's fantastic to see, and we are so grateful to Mrs Heywood for her wonderful generosity."

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Several 'millionaires' and 'multi millionaires' have now received their tokens. Ciardha Peters, Year 8, said: "The book machine is so exciting, watching the books fall. I am so thankful that Mrs Haywood donated this. I think everyone will be trying really hard to get the tokens."

Esme Sparks, Year 7, added: "I think the book machine will really motivate readers to try and achieve their targets so they can use the machine and pick up a new book. I think it is a great idea."

Laura Heywood and some of the ‘millionaires’ with their tokens.

As well as funding the machine, which is wrapped with the school logo, Mrs Heywood bought enough books to fill it and organised a cake sale raising more than £230 to help replenish the books going forward. Further fundraising is planned by the school to ensure the book vending machine remains fully stocked.

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Cllr Eastwood said: "It's been wonderful to see the new book vending machine in action at school. Having been an avid reader since a young age, I know how important books can be. Being immersed in a book enables you to visit so many places within your mind and learn about situations from the perspective of others. They can be entertaining as well as informative, they can be your companion if lonely, and a distraction if anxious.

"This vending machine is a lovely way to reward our young people and encourage them to develop their reading habits even more. Diolch yn fawr iawn to my fellow governor, Laura Heywood, for organising this for our school."