Library News

Maria SMITH

Head of Library

WHAT AN EXCITING TERM THREE AHEAD OF US!

Halfway through the colder months, our Library looks forward to organizing Highvale’s annual Literacy/Numeracy/Book Week while fundraising for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) and Reading Out of Poverty (ROOP). 

Students: Get ready to participate in the following activities from August 31 to September 4:

Spelling Bee, Kahoot Quiz, poetry and 50-word short story writing competitions, most creative colouring, bookmark-designing, Sudoku challenge and ‘Guess how many lollies are in the jar’ competition! Plus a BOOK SALE!

And not to forget, Book Week Dress-Up Day for a gold coin donation. For ideas on Dress-Up Day: please visit this site: collections/symphony-of-stories https://store.cbca.org.au/

Another exciting news for our Spelling Challengers! How about competing in the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee on the School, State/Territory and National Level?

Important: the Spelling Bee is for students from Years 3-8 and those who must not have turned 15 by February 1, 2026. 

WHAT TO DO: Submit a signed parent consent form that can be done digitally or ask the Librarian for a copy to take home.

If you happen to be ONE of THREE winners at the National Level, you will be invited to meet the Prime Minister in Canberra and receive an Ipad and $250 worth of Harper Collins book pack, plus $1000 for our school for participating.

For the Spelling Bee set-up, information, and even practice tests, please access important rules and relevant this link: https://www.spelling-bee.com.au/

LIBRARIAN’S HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHT: “FROM DEPRESSION WITH LOVE” MELBOURNE DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL FINALIST 

What a thrill to attend the premiering at Carlton Cinema Nova of the documentary film “From Depression with Love”, produced and directed by budding actor Sean Dobra who I have known (as neighbours) since his early teens.

Truly inspirational, Sean’s resilience and strong desire to finish this transformative and thought-provoking film (that started as a very short video) have been deeply motivated by his own experience with depression. 

As confronting as it is in parts, this powerful self-funded docudrama produced through Dobra’s Star Max Films has been nominated for two awards at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival, has won six international awards and has also garnered strong reviews internationally.                           

The film carries important messages/expert advice (from neuroscientists, doctors, life coaches, monks and everyday people, and their lived experiences with suicide and depression. 

For more info, visit: www.mdff.org.au 

VICTORIAN PREMIERS READING CHALLENGE STAR REVIEWERS! 

Students registered for the VPRC has around 40 days to complete the Reading Challenge finishing on September 4. Please keep submitting read books online to keep track of your progress. You can also submit book reviews and recommendations that we can publish to inspire others to also read. Well done STAR REVIEWERS!

King of Greed by Ana Huang ★★★

I love how this book showed the divorce and unhappiness from a marriage point of view. I just wanted the divorce to be later on; I didn’t want them to actually get back together. I loved that all the characters from the series King of Sin are actually really good friends seen throughout the book. (Sanvi R. Y8)

The war of the worlds by H.G. Wells★★★★

A good book with a simple yet engaging plot that became the foundation of alien Sci-Fi literature. Quite modern sounding despite its age. It seems that the book was written with the idea that the reader already knows the general layout of London and its surroundings so it's easy to get confused with all the locations mentioned. However, they aren't super important to the plot, so it shouldn't affect the reading experience much. (Miranda L. Y8)

Billionaire boy by David Walliams ★★★★

Wow such a heart-warming book! This story is about a rich twelve-year-old named Joe who has everything in the world except a friend. From a rich posh school he switches to a local school, in hope of finding a dear companion whom he can call as his friend. The author, David Williams, conveys the message that money can't buy true happiness in this story. I recommend this book to people who are in search of a humorous yet heartfelt book. :) (Diya V. Y7)

The Stonekeeper's Curse by Kazu Kibuishi ★★★★★

This was an exciting sequel to the first Amulet book and introduced a lot of new characters that I think will play an important role in the plot! The book was a bit fast paced and rushed through scenes sometimes, but I loved the answers I got about where the story was going and also some very important info about some meaningful character backgrounds and their side stories. I got a lot of love about the world the series takes place in, and I would love to read more! (Livia F. Y7) 

Reckless by Elsie Silver ★★★★★

Love this book, it’s like the fourth in the series though I read it as a stand-alone and the first chapter had me pulled. The emotional scenes that occurred and seeing Winter learn to love was so wholesome and I feel like the accidental pregnancy was written so well and it fit the plot so well. This is a trope which can rarely be written well but hands down this was written beautifully. There are some quotes which will stay with me forever. (Sanvi R. Y8)

King of Pride by Ann Huang ★★

It had a good perspective of the trope opposites attract though I found the breakup unnecessary at the end; they would have broken up. I would have preferred it more near the middle of the book not the end. (Sanvi R. Y8)

EXCITING ARRIVALS FOR THE WARMER MONTHS!

Visit our Library for the latest fiction surprises to entice your reading appetite!

REMEMBER THE ANNUAL INSIGHT CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION! 

The Insight Competition closes on 01/09/2026 and now revealing its judging panel for your writing entries for respective Year Levels: Year 7: Amelia Mellor; Year 8: Andre Dao; Year 9: Romy Ash; Year 10: Olivia Muscat; Year 11: Richard Pryor and Year 12: Maxine Beneba Clarke)

It is never too late to submit entries “to ignite a passion for creative writing and inspire the voices of the future” while sharing the chance of winning cash prizes worth over $3000. For more information, please access 

https://www.insightpublications.com.au/insight-creative-writing-competition/