LIBRARY

                             "The library is not just full of books, but also opportunities."  

Abbey 2016 

THE LIBRARY... MORE THAN BOOKS

"The library is not just full of books, but also opportunities."  

Abbey 2016 

Over the term, you will read about all that our school library can offer your child.

This week: Connection - AUTHOR PEN PALS

Each year, the library signs up for the "Author Pen Pal" program. The program is designed to connect students with real-life authors. These authors send letters by snail mail to grades telling the students about themselves, their books, life and experiences as an author. 

Over the years, authors have sent us their books with advice on writing. Last year, we even had a special visit from one who lived close by.

In turn, the students write to the author, telling them about our school, our city, their grade, and anything else they think may be of interest to them about us. We also include lots of questions for the author, enabling us to make a connection with them.

This year, these are our allocated authors

Yr 3 Karen Tyrrell

Yr 4 Meredith Downes

Yr 5 Janeen Brian

Yr 6 Jess Galatola.

                                           AND

• Creative minds

   

• LIBRARY = AUTHOR HUB 

  A record number of students have taken the opportunity to enter this great creative writing opportunity facilitated by the Armidale Catholic Schools. This year the theme was "open" with students submitting their best creative writing.

  The stories reflect student interests and vivid imaginations.

  I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the students' work and chatting about the inspiration behind their stories and how they hope readers will respond to them. 

  Thank you to the Library leaders who assisted students in Yrs 1 and 2 in typing and editing their stories in preparation for submission.

• The winning entry from each category will get the opportunity to work with an illustrator and have their work published in ebook form on the SORA online reading platform to be read by 1000s of students.

   

   

2026 FOCUS

Thank you, parents, for assisting your child in remembering their grade library day.

Borrowing rates are strong. With every child in the primary sector having 1 or more books in their tub for DEAR - Drop Everything And Read, and every child in K, 1 and 2 presenting with a library bag in the beginning weeks of school. 

Let's keep this momentum going, building strong habits around reading for learning and enjoyment.

Library Timetable

MONDAY: Yr 1, Yr 5

TUESDAY: Yr 2, Yr 4

WEDNESDAY: Kindergarten, Yr 3

THURSDAY: Yr 6

HOLIDAYS

Holidays are approaching fast. 

Check out the town library 

website: cnrl.spydus.com for activities.

                                                                        LIBRARY BAGS

Please note that a LIBRARY BAG is the first item on your child's equipment list for the year. Thank you for ensuring your child has a library bag. I have some spares and will issue these to students next week who have not yet presented with a bag.

LIBRARY BAGS MATTER...  Not just some of the time but all of the time.

No food or drink on my books.

Food and drink are for the chooks.

Library bags keep ‘em clean.

Books are cool don’t treat ‘em mean.

Bring your bag every time.

Fill it up and get in line.

Have it scanned and scoot on out.

LIBRARY BAGS

We all shout.

J. McGuirK

PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE

Students from Yr 3 - Yr 6 will have their books recorded on the Oliver library program.

Kinder, 1 and 2 use the paper reading log, which is to remain in the library bag.

The aim of the Challenge is to promote a love of literature for enjoyment and to encourage wide reading amongst the students. This is done by restricting how many series books can be logged as PRC (Premier's Reading Challenge), thus moving students out of their comfort zone to read other genres or texts, essentially by other authors promoting wide reading. 

CHOICE = Motivation 

"The strongest positive impact on reading engagement and learning gains comes from student self-selection of reading materials. "

How Reading Motivation and Engagement Enable Reading Achievement: Policy Implications, Ana Taboada Barber and Susan Lutz Klauda

When students visit the library a huge emphasis is placed on the 

premise that they have

 C H O I C E

in what they can read and borrow. 

WORLD BOOK ONLINE 

If you have not logged on and had a browse around, sit down with your child and ask them about it. I'm sure all primary-aged students will be able to show you some of the features.

Google - worldbookonline

HOME USE: ID - school23

                       : PASSWORD - books

SORA - easy access guide 

Download the free App to access this online reading resource provided for us by the Catholic Schools Office. Your family will have access to thousands of books 24/7.

Check out the town library 

website: cnrl.spydus.com for activities.