Learning
Deputy Principal/Learning and Teaching Leader
- Ms Bridget Morris
Learning and Teaching
Book Week 2026 – Symphony of Stories
Book Week is one of the most exciting weeks on our school calendar, and this year's theme, Symphony of Stories, celebrates the wonderful way stories can inspire, connect and bring people together. We have a fantastic week of activities planned, and we can't wait to celebrate with our school community.
Tuesday 25 August
Dress-Up Parade – 9:00am
Students are invited to come dressed as their favourite book character. Our annual Book Week Parade will begin at 9:00am, and families are warmly invited to join us as we celebrate the creativity and imagination of our students.
Symphony of Stories with Josh Pyke – 10:00am
Following the parade, Prep to Year 6 students will take part in a very special live virtual event with acclaimed Australian musician and author Josh Pyke. Students will join children from schools across Victoria to create a unique song together in real time, bringing this year's Symphony of Stories theme to life through music and storytelling.
Bake a Book or Get Arty Competition - Tuesday 25 August
As part of our Book Week celebrations, students are invited to enter our optional Bake a Book or Get Arty competition. Students can either:
- Bake a Book: Decorate a cake inspired by a favourite book, character, scene or Symphony of Stories Book Week theme. The cake can be homemade or store bought. Students will judge the competition based on the creativity of the decorations and the connection to the book.
- Get Arty: Create an artwork inspired by a favourite book, character, scene or Symphony of Stories theme.
All entries should be created at home, with adult assistance only where supervision is required. Students may enter individually or with friends.
Please bring cakes and artworks to the library at the start of the school day on Tuesday 25 August, and collect them at the end of the day. Cakes will be displayed, but will not be eaten at school.
We can't wait to see everyone's creative entries!
Throughout Book Week
Celebrating the CBCA Shortlisted Books
To help build excitement in the lead-up to Book Week, we have recently expanded our library collection with many of this year's CBCA Shortlisted Books. Throughout the coming weeks, students will have the opportunity to discover these outstanding Australian stories during their Library lessons, where they will be read, explored and celebrated together. The shortlisted titles showcase the very best of Australian children's literature and will inspire rich conversations, creativity and a lifelong love of reading as we count down to Book Week. For more information, check them out here: https://cbca.org.au/2026-shortlist/
Buddy Reading Celebration
Our buddy classes will enjoy a special Book Week Buddy Hour, sharing and celebrating this year's shortlisted books together through reading and discussion.
Special Author Visit with Kirsty Murray
We are incredibly proud to welcome Kirsty Murray to St Bernard's during our Book Week celebrations. Not only is Kirsty an acclaimed Australian author whose books have delighted readers of all ages, she is also a valued member of our own school community.
Kirsty will visit St Bernard's on Monday 31 August and Monday 7 September as part of our Book Week celebrations. During her visits, she will present engaging author sessions for our Prep–Year 4 students and lead an inspiring writing workshop for our Year 5/6 students. Hearing directly from a published author is a wonderful opportunity for students to discover where ideas come from, how books are created, and what it takes to become a writer.
Many of our younger readers may already know and love Kirsty's delightful picture books, including Puddle Hunters and When Billy Was a Dog, while older students may recognise some of her historical fiction. Her stories celebrate imagination, friendship, resilience and adventure, making them favourites in classrooms and libraries across Australia.
We feel incredibly fortunate to have such a talented author sharing her passion for books and writing with our students, and we know her visits will inspire many budding readers and writers.
Book Week is always a highlight of the school year, reminding us of the joy of reading and the power of stories to spark curiosity, imagination and creativity. We look forward to celebrating this wonderful week with all of our students and families!