Library news
by Ms Emily Collins & Ms Kylie Pearson, School Librarians
Box Hill High School
Interschool Chess Tournament
On Thursday 9 October, Box Hill High School hosted the Term 4 2025 Interschool Chess Tournament and welcomed students from Ashwood High School, Doncaster East Secondary School and Doncaster Secondary School. It was an exciting day where students battled it out on the chess boards and in between matches they made and reconnected with friends and celebrated their love of this game.
The top three chess champions from each school were awarded a gold, silver and bronze medal respectively and while there were a few playoffs to determine the final place winners, there is always one overall winner. A huge congratulations to BHHS student, Austin who took out first from BHHS and third overall for the Term 4, 2025 tournament.
A massive thank you to Mr Bailey who officiates every single tournament and each school and the wonderful competitors who sign up to take part. We love organising and hosting this event and look forward to 2026.
Guest Speaker, Poet and Writer, Solli Raphael
On Thursday 13 and Friday 14 October, Box Hill High School welcomed acclaimed poet, public speaker and writer Solli Raphael. Solli presented four 90-minute workshops on poetry, focusing on the theme of identity. These workshops were attended by students who took part in the Victorian High Ability Program (VHAP), students who took part in Writing Club and all Year 8 students who are currently studying a unit of work on poetry.
Solli shared his own writing journey and practical writing techniques in the workshops as well as inspiring BHHS students by performing some of his famous slam poetry, including the poem that he performed at the Sydney Opera House, which made Solli the youngest ever winner of the Australian Poetry Slam when he was just 12 years of age. Australian Air might have been the first poem that he shared on such a big public stage but, since then, he has continued writing and performing his poetry.
Solli has published multiple books including Limelight, Spotlight and his latest, Starlight and they have received accolades for their capacity to engage students in poetry.
An inspirational young adult, Solli Raphael is a globally renowned poet, keynote speaker, environmental activist and humanitarian and BHHS was so fortunate to welcome him to promote literacy and poetry to the students at Box Hill High School.
Library Loyalty Card Winners
This term's incredible readers who have won the Library Loyalty Card draw are Sattwik G, Careena W and Kevin Z. Thank you for being such wonderful library borrowers! They have won a book of their choice to take home.
Christmas Charity Appeal
The library team are gearing up for our annual Christmas Charity Appeal. While we are still in the planning phase, we will be supporting Vinnies, a charity that in 2025 will mark 50 years supporting the community. View "50 years of heartfelt service — a day in the life of Vinnies Soup Vans" here: https://youtu.be/1e-5FIf66iU
We will be posting details to Compass soon but cannot thank our wonderful Box Hill High School community enough for the support over the years. The impact of your generous donations is greater than you can imagine. Again, to promote this, we will reward the Home group (from each year level) that donates the most items with zooper doopers.
More details of the Christmas Charity Appeal coming soon!