Library News
News from the Library
The library has had a busy start to the year, supporting our students in their learning and growth.
The library is open from 7:30 am - 4:00 pm each day. Students are invited to come to the new space to enjoy the many books, games, and activities on offer. On Tuesday afternoons, McCarthy’s Study Club is run in the library space as well.
We are proud to offer such a wide range of fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, Quick Reads, and eBooks to our students. We are sure there is something to pique everyone’s interest. Students are welcome to explore the books on offer and put in a request to the library staff if they feel there is something our collection is missing.
Students have been encouraged to come to the library and borrow their holiday reading in the last two weeks.
Library Programs
Term One’s Library Programs are off to a great start.
Year 8 HSIE Research classes have been focused on developing their ability to analyse sources. Students have engaged with a range of sources from the medieval period and used a pro forma to analyse these texts for historical accuracy, usefulness, reliability, perspective and much more. Developing the ability to discern useful and reliable information has many cross-curricular applications.
Year 7 have been introduced to our Renaissance Reader program and have started looking at modelled texts and registering their first texts. Students will continue to have discussions about what they are reading and will develop their skills throughout the year. We have encouraged all Year 7 students to borrow a book from the library to read independently.
Year 8 have continued with the Renaissance Reader program. In Term One, we have focused on the core skills of visual literacy and inference. Students have had texts modelled to them, and we have discussed in class reading strategies and approaches. Students have been registering the modelled texts on the program, and all Year 8 students were encouraged to borrow a book from the library to continue reading at home.
Supporting a Reading Culture
We ask all parents and carers to support our Stage 4 Reading Program by encouraging students to read for 20 minutes at least three times a week at home. This will improve academic performance across all subjects, boost cognitive development (memory, focus), and enhance critical thinking skills. We appreciate your support in developing a reading culture at school and at home.
Some strategies to encourage teenagers to engage strongly with reading:
- Recognise that all reading is good reading - let students select materials from their interests and ability level.
- Seek suggestions from library staff about recommendations, strategies, or support for encouraging reading.
- Model reading at home yourself - talk about books, newspapers, articles, magazines, etc. that you have read and what was interesting to you.
- Let students find materials from or based on the movies, TV shows, or social media they engage with.
- Create the time and space for reading at home.
- Use the school holiday period to encourage reading for enjoyment.
Premier’s Reading Challenge 2026
The Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC) for 2026 is open. Students who have registered have received their username and password to start logging their completed books. Students are encouraged to use the McCarthy library catalogue to find materials that align with the PRC, and can always speak to our friendly library staff about their reading progress.
Students will be asked to pop into the library periodically to update their PRC register and discuss what they’ve been reading with the other participants.
We are excited to support students in achieving their reading goals and hope to see many students receive their certificates of completion.
Students as Authors Writing Competition 2026
The Armidale Catholic Schools Students as Authors Writing Competition is open for 2026. Students need to finalise and send their writing submissions before the closing date of Friday, 17th of April, to be eligible for the competition.
This year, the competition has an open category, meaning students can write a quality piece of work on any topic they choose. Stories must be submitted as a student's own work and have a maximum of 15,000 words. The competition will be judged by School Performance Leader, Edmond Maher, and winners will have an opportunity to work with an illustrator to develop their story as an eBook. EBooks will be published on our school library platform and can reach an audience of over 250,000 students in Catholic schools across Australia.
McCarthy has had previous successes with winners in many categories, and we strongly encourage students to use the open category to write a piece of powerful writing.
We wish everyone a safe and happy Easter holiday and look forward to a productive and successful Term Two.
Bec Hannan
Lead Teacher Librarian
Libby Laird
Teacher Librarian