Maria SMITH

Librarian

IN RECOGNITION OF NAIDOC WEEK 2024

The National Aboriginals and Islanders’ Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week held across the country from 7-14 July 2024 began in 1975 and provides opportunities for all Australians to learn, celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year’s theme Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture – with fire a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define the ATSI peoples. Please check this link: https://www.clickview.net/au/secondary/videos/6980950/naidoc-week?context=widget&contextId=302955611568668672

Check out NAIDOC WEEK 2024 Celebration at the National Gallery of Victoria: https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/NAIDOC-week-2024-Page-Hero-EVOP169579_.jpg

THANK YOU LIBRARY MONITORS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!

The Library Monitors enjoyed a ‘thank you’ end-of-term morning tea in recognition of all the voluntary support they have provided in the library during lunchtime and after school. The Monitors also help organise the annual Literacy/Numeracy Week. Huge thanks to our Monitors Janet, Thinuli, Caitlyn, Calista, Victoria, Freya, Priya, Sheena, Xinyi and Benson for demonstrating our college values of responsibility and excellence!

NEWS FLASH! MULTI-TALENTED FREYA H. PERFORMING AT THE 72nd MELBOURNE GANG SHOW 2024

On June 27, Mrs Elly Morey and I enjoyed the incredible performance of our very own Year 10 student and Library Monitor Freya H. with the rest of the amazing participating members of the Scouts and Girl Guides Victoria. This awesome 10-session “Once Upon A Crime” musical stage show finishes on June 29 at 7:30 pm at the Besen Performing Arts Centre (Mount Scopus Memorial College) in Burwood. Thank you Freya (in her Girl Scouts uniform) for excitedly posing with us after the show!

HSC VHAP MASTERCLASS ZOOM WORKSHOP WITH THE STATE LIBRARY OF VICTORIA (SLV) ON ESSENTIAL RESEARCH STRATEGIES

Organised by HSC VHAP Coordinator Mrs Marianne Clarkson, VHAP (English) Masterclass students participated in an ONLINE Research Fundamentals Workshop run by the State Library of Victoria (SLV). (https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/learn/schools-teachers/research-essentials-secondary-students)

This free Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series (VCES) workshop initiative enlightened students on the importance of learning what fake news/disinformation/misinformation is, and evaluating online resources for “reliability, authenticity and relevance”; how to do research in manageable chunks using effective questions as a guide; and accessing credible sites such as Trove, the Australian War Memorial, Culture Victoria and the State Library of Victoria. The speakers also touched on the risks and prevalence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it can impede students’ capabilities for authentic learning.

The Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP) is a government initiative run by Virtual School Victoria (VSV) to address and enrich the needs of high-ability students to engage in a nine-week program with challenging materials in either English or Mathematics, sometimes interacting with other VHAP students in the State.

AMAZING BOOK REVIEWS FROM OUR HIGHVALE READING CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS!

The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge finishes in September however it is never too late to register for it. We can ‘explore, learn and enjoy’ reading that has likewise enormous benefits for improving literacy.

Halfway through the Challenge, some HSC students have demonstrated our college value of excellence by writing amazing book reviews (published on the VPRC website).

BOOK REVIEWERS SEGMENT

The Maze Runner ★★★★★ by James Dashner

THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING! I felt that the plot was not only well-planned, but also well-written, as it was suspenseful and made me curious. In the end, it all worked out and made perfect sense which also links to the beginning and the prequel. I recommend reading this trilogy because it will satisfy your hunger for books if you enjoy dystopian/sci-fi novels. (Amelie P. 8.6)

The Hunger Games ★★★★★ by Suzanne Collins

I really loved this book! It had great characters and a really interesting plot that made me excited to read the sequel. If you enjoy suspenseful, dystopian novels then definitely check out The Hunger Games! (Amelie P. 8.6)

A Giant's Trek ★★★★ by Nick Stella

This was a really good book, as there were lots of interesting things going on and they made it easy to understand. I would recommend reading this book if you’re looking for an interesting fictional story. (Thottan N. 7G)

Guts ★★★★ by Raina Telgemeier

A great quick book to read about fitting in at school whilst struggling at home. (Vivienne Y. 7F)

Midnight in Everwood ★★★★★by Maria Kuzniar

I don't typically delve into the fairytale-type fiction a lot, but the delicate mix of magical/ fantastical elements made it a great read. The descriptions in this book are one of a kind, and the setting/character development is extremely interesting (in a positive way). Kuznair likes setting up her worlds in the 1800s/early 1900s, and the romanticism of that era shines through her work in a good manner. (Freya H. 10.3)

Saving Charli ★★★★★ by Di Walker

Saving Charli is a touching book that hooks you in right from the beginning to the very end, engrossing you into the vivid story, told from different perspectives in each chapter. This book makes you feel that you are in the story, playing one of the characters, as you read every last detail. Overall, it's an amazing book, carefully planned to make you feel like you've entered the story and joined a new world. (Alyssa P. 7E)

Flames ★★★★★ by Robbie Arnott

Definitely a very complex and well-imagined creative work by our fellow Australian author. The story while mixed and matched like jigsaw pieces, is still cohesive and lets the readers ponder over the connotations implied throughout the duration of the novel. While I am currently studying it, I must say that I immensely enjoyed reading it, in fact it might be my favourite Australian novel to date. Recommend it to Challenge book list for sure! (Freya H. 10.3)

House of Leaves ★★★★★ by Mark Danielewski

I'm probably not old enough to read and understand this novel properly (thus it should indubitably be placed in the Challenge book list), however it horrified and amazed me to levels I never thought I'd ever go. While it traumatised me to some extent, not any book can achieve such levels of suspense and reader emotion. It was truly woefully ironic in the grand scheme of things. Maybe I will revisit it one day when I can actually comprehend the horror I felt while experiencing it for the first time. (Freya H. 10.3)

A Haunting in Venice ★★★★ by Agatha Christie

I enjoyed it but it was a bit slow with very little climax. (Olivia C. 9.2)

CHECK OUT OUR JUNE ARRIVALS!

Secondary Non-Fiction Book of the Month

I Fight, You Fight by Alex Noble

The inspiring story of 16-year old Alex Noble, a promising high school rugby league player whose on-field injury left him fighting for his life. Alex’s first words to his brother Zac “I fight, you fight” became a ‘war cry’ as his friends rallied around him while fighting to regain control over his body, and find happiness while taking risks to achieve his true potential. An inspiring memoir particularly for our young readers!

Lower Secondary Fiction and Graphic Novels with Librarian’s Recommendation

The Wrong Shoes by Tom Percival

A beautiful story of an impoverished but courageous young Will and how with the help and empathy of friends finds confidence in navigating and getting through difficult circumstances. A truly empathy-boosting story that teaches confidence, caring and building community connections.

HAVE YOU HEARD OF OUR EXCITING JIGSAW PUZZLE CORNER?

Students have been excited working as a team at lunchtime or after school finishing four 300-piece Star Wars jigsaw puzzles, and they could not wait to start another one. The Challenge now is to finish a new 1000-piece puzzle before the end of Term Two, see how we go! Come and jigsaw with us anytime at Lunchtime to de-stress and have fun! Thanks Year 10 students Hemika P. and Riya J. for starting our new Peacock jigsaw puzzle.

HIGHVALE WRITERS CLUB LITERARY CORNER

Embrace the Winter

by Emily Verse (Inspirational Winter Poems)

In the heart of winter’s chill,

Lies a beauty, silent, still.

Nature’s breath, so crisp and clear,

Whispers strength to those who hear.

For in the snow, a canvas white,

Lies a chance to write a new,

Dreams that glisten in the night,

Under skies of starry hue.

Embrace the cold, the frosty morn,

For within its grasp, you’re reborn.

Each flake, a lesson from above,

In winter’s chill, find warmth and love.

AN AMAZING PALEOART DRAWING AND REFLECTION by Guillem CG (9.2)

I made this drawing of a pack of gianzhousauruses hunting a gannansaurus not only to prove and enhance my skills but also to commemorate the qianzhousaurus that in my opinion is one of the most awe-inspiring creatures that unfortunately went instinct. It is important to celebrate and acknowledge these wonderful fauna lest they fade into the depths of human knowledge. I have been drawing these animals since I could first draw as the raw beauty of these long-gone ecosystems and animals first inspired me.

STORY STUDIOS AUSTRALIA/MELBOURNE’S YOUNG WRITER STUDIO

SSA/MYWS runs creative programs that can inspire young people to immerse into different types of worlds, genres, characters, themes and more. Please check the link to find out more opportunities to be a published author one day:

https://www.mywritersstudio.com.au/program/holiday-programs-and-festivals/

WHAT’S ON IN MELBOURNE FOR FAMILY AND KIDS ON THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

To keep the family entertained during the school holidays, there’s heaps of activities in our beautiful city of Melbourne from storytelling, nature walks, magic shows, theatre, art creation and appreciation, amazing food, staycations and many more. Please check out the link for more info:

https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/family-and-kids

BERUK

Celebrate the life and legacy of William Barak, a Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung artist simply known as Beruk to his people. This free exhibition in collaboration with the Victorian Indigenous Research Centre and a Wurundjeri working group is the first to be held at SLV’s new Gallery “dedicated to presenting Victoria’s indigenous voices”.

WHEN: 13 December 2023- 22 July 2024 (10 am to 6 pm)

WHERE: South Rotunda, The Gateway, State Library of Victoria

Please check out the following links for more info on the Beruk Exhibition and other State Library events/activities for the school holidays:

https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/beruk

https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/whats-on

A BOOKLOVERS GUIDE TO MELBOURNE (Best time to curl up with a book!)

The Paperback Bookshop

The Paperback Bookshop has been a champion for independent books since the 1960s.

Hill of Content

The 100-year old Hill of Content has offered Melburnians the best local and international page turners.

Books for Cooks

Books for Cooks has delicious reads in huge supply including the likes of Ottolenghi or try one of the many antiquarian titles on wine, food and the culinary arts.

Metropolis Books

Culture vultures will love the creative selection at the Metropolis Books including books on art, graphic design, music, film and architecture.

Kay Craddock – Antiquarian Bookseller

The Kay Craddock carries an array of antiquarian and second-hand books dating back to the 15th century including books on Australiana, books about books, unique bookend accessories and more.

Readings Carlton

Readings has been a Carlton icon for over 40 years. Young readers are also well catered for at Readings Kids right next door on Lygon Street.

City Basement Books

For pre-loved books at a fraction of the original price and rare editions, City Basement Books is for you.

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