From the Dean of Learning and Teaching
Book Week and the Characters Who Shape Us
Book Week is a time to celebrate the power of stories; not just the ones we read, but the characters who walk alongside us long after we close the book. Sometimes a character is so vivid, so determined, or so compassionate that they help us to see ourselves more clearly. They remind us of what truly matters and can quietly shape the choices we make in our own lives.
For me as a young girl, that character was Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables by Canadian author, L.M. Montgomery. Anne is fiery, resilient, and full of imagination. She loves learning, defends her friends, and isn’t afraid to be different. I would laugh when she is mischievous, cry when she is lonely, and feel proud when she stands her ground. Most importantly, she taught me that education is worth valuing deeply and that resilience and empathy are timeless strengths.
More recently, I have been struck by a very different character: Ove, from A Man Called Ove by Swedish writer, Fredrick Backman. At first glance, Ove is gruff, cynical, and resistant to change. Yet beneath his stern exterior lies a story of grief, love, and ultimately transformation. His journey reminds us that kindness and connection can soften even the hardest of hearts. For young men in particular, Ove demonstrates that strength is not found in isolation, but in allowing others to walk beside you. Vulnerability, care for community, and the willingness to change are not weaknesses: they are hallmarks of true character.
Looking back, I realise that characters like Anne and Ove not only inspire our love of reading but also shape the way we approach life, learning, and relationships. Like Anne, I came to believe that “the higher you expect, the more you achieve.” And like Ove, I am reminded that none of us are meant to face life alone.
As we mark Book Week, may we remember the characters who have influenced us. May we continue to encourage our students at Lauries to find their own “Annes” and “Ottos,” whose lessons will remain long after the final page is turned.
MS GRACE LOYDEN
Dean of Learning & Teaching