CHILDREN’S author Peter J Murray was the high-profile guest at the official opening of Wigginton Primary School’s new library.

The writer transformed into his 7ft tall character Mokee Joe, as he chatted to children and parents and signed copies of his books.

Pupils listened to Mr Murray read from his latest book, Bonebreaker, during the Jorvik Viking Festival.

He was then asked if he could officially open the library, which he was happy to do. He also gave the school a set of his books.

Pat Boyle, Wigginton Primary School’s head teacher, said the library was proving very popular.

She said: “It’s being well used during class times and after school, when pupils and parents help to run it.”

The school’s parent teacher’s association is currently fundraising for more books for the library.

Pupils from York High School helped to save lives by supporting the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) Red For Heart campaign.

Pupils and staff paid a donation to wear red for the day and take part in some of the fundraising activities that are taking place throughout the day. In total, £1,356 was raised to support the BHF’s fight against the UK’s biggest killer – heart and circulatory disease Mike Fitzsimons, of the schoool, said: “I decided to support the Red For Heart campaign because as a school we feel that this was a very worthy cause and something fun for the pupils to get involved in”. We hoped to raise £700 for the BHF’s vital work, but were really impressed with the pupils and staff’s commitment in raising £1356 .”

Last month, Tadcaster Grammar School student Tom Gaythorpe, along with another student from the school, won the silver award for the most innovative idea at the Griffins’ Nest Competition at Venturefest 2009 and the sum of £500 for the school.

This month, the Year 9 student has been awarded junior member of the year of the Tadcaster and Wetherby Young Farmers’ Club. Tom, aged 14, was presented with the Millennium Challenge Trophy and a certificate from the Yorkshire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs for his improvement and commitment.

“I have been very impressed with Tom’s improvement,” said Rebecca Elliott, chairman of the Tadcaster and Wetherby Young Farmers Club.

As part of National Science and Engineering Week, Year 7 pupils from St Martin’s Ampleforth Prep School took part in a workshop at the University of York entitled Discover And Explore Your Local Star – The Sun. Among the activities the children took part in included making solar cells using blackcurrants or hibiscus flowers which were then able to power a calculator, experiments using different coloured filters to find the wavelength of light used in plants in photosynthesis and the children had the opportunity to observe the sun using a solar telescope.

It was a fascinating day which gave the children the opportunity to study science beyond the classroom.

For many youngsters, birthdays mean cards, an array of presents and being spoilt for the day.

But not for 12-year-old Mount School pupil Georgina Ellis who made the self-sacrificing decision to donate all her £300 birthday present money to Diabetes UK.

Deciding this generous act shouldn’t go unnoticed, The Mount School, York, where Georgina is a pupil, presented her with a letter and certificate from Diabetes UK.