Library News

Maria SMITH

Head of Library

WE APPRECIATE YOU, OUR LIBRARY MONITORS!

Before, during and after our most recent refurbishment, our Library Monitors have been an important support. They helped heaps in moving and sorting books, continue to run our Circulation Desk with good/confident customer service while recommending amazing ideas to increase book circulation and student participation. (End-of-term “Thank you” morning tea for our delightful Monitors, not in the picture, Keon C., Andrea Z., Aagvi S. and Nicole L.)

LIBRARY NEWS FLASH - IWD AND HARMONY/CULTURAL DIVERSITY AWARENESS

While attending an International Women’s Month event, with my Librarian thinking hat, it gave me great pleasure speaking with three empowered women writers: internationally acclaimed podcaster and author of “From a tin shed to the United Nations: How every one of us can make a difference”, Stephanie Woolard (OAM); motivational speaker and newly published author of “The Pivot Point: Courage for the change you secretly want”, Lorelee Montajes (left); and multicultural newspaper columnist Lorna Ramirez (not in the picture), author of “My Heart and Soul Unplugged: Writing on love, kindness and empathy”, plus more.

What a treat for a bibliophile (someone who loves and collects books)! Certainly, inspiring additions to our main collection while getting into the minds of these inspiring women trying to balance the scales and giving to gain for fairness, equality, harmony and belonging.

VICTORIAN PREMIERS’ READING CHALLENGE UPDATE

Great news! We have 25 students who already registered for the Reading Challenge! For Years 7 to 10 Highvale students wishing to join, please visit the library for your login details. We have a wonderful collection of “stories to discover and stories to tell”.

The annual VPRC invites Victorian children from early childhood, primary and secondary school students from Years 7-10 to read 15 books from 02 March to 04 September 2026.

For the Challenge rules, guidelines and other information, please access this link: https://www.vic.gov.au/register-and-log-in-premiers-reading-challenge

MEET THE AMAZING 2026 READING CHALLENGE AMBASSADORS!

(L-R) Solli Raphael, award-winning author and poet, has been named 2026 Reading Challenge Author Ambassador while illustrator and author, Marc Martin, the 2026 Reading Challenge Illustrator Ambassador.

Check them out via: https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-reading-challenge-meet-our-author https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-reading-challenge-meet-our-illustrator

BOOK REVIEWS FROM OUR READING CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS!

As the school librarian, it is always delightful to watch our students get excited about the Reading Challenge every year “to experience the horizon-expanding and life-enhancing joys of reading, writing, drawing and imaginative play”. (Andy Griffiths, 2026-2027 Children’s Laureate). Please enjoy enticing book reviews from our first batch of VPRC participants:

Switched by Amanda Hocking ★★★★★

I personally love the plot of Wenny's discovery as a member of the Trylle. The background information and characters introduced was exceptional, as the book was well written and much to my liking. Can't wait to read the rest of Trylle trilogy. (Siddharth S. 9F)

The inheritance games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes ★★★★

One of my top books! It was a great book to start the series and the cliffhanger where they thought they solved the mystery but turns out there’s more to it is so intriguing 🧐 I love the main female character, and all the characters’ background is just fascinating. (Sanvi R. 8H)

It's your funeral! By Emily Riesbeck ★★★★★

This book is really fun to read, and it talks about understanding people. The art and character development is awesome too. Overall, it’s quite funny sometimes, a great book! (Myra D. 7B)

One by one they disappear by Mike Lucas ☆☆☆☆☆

It was a really nice book about a Jewish- German girl struggling to find home in the middle of war. The barbarity of the war forced her to change her identity. (Harshini H. 7F)

The housemaid by Freida McFadden★★★★

This book is super talented at keeping secrets and exposing them in a way that feels illegal. It shocks you in surprise once the character drops the answer to the question you've held the entire time during reading this book. Your opinion about these characters will change, the way you perceive them will change. This book taught me don't trust those who look and act perfect, because it means they have something far darker than you imagine. (Maia A. 9G)

The miserable mill by Lemony Snicket ★★★★★

I really like the writing style of the author, and how he comes back to refer to himself to help with the understanding of the story, or just to drop a weird or funny remark to give himself a more mysterious vibe. I really enjoy reading this series and I can't wait to read the other books too! (Livia F. 7G)

Amulet, Book one, The stonekeeper by Kazu Kinuishi★★★★★

I really like the book, and I can definitely see how this could lead to an amazing series! The art style is very unique, and I was a little surprised when I first saw it, but the drawings are well done and sort of cute, so it did give the book a different sort of vibe when I read it. I'm intrigued to read the rest of this series, and I'm glad to see where it goes! (Livia F. 7G)

CHECK OUT OUR APRIL ARRIVALS AND GET READY TO SNUGGLE UP IN THE WINTER!

SECONDARY FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH

An action-packed murder mystery written by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss, the Escape Game is “all fun and games until someone ends up dead”. This is a terrific murder mystery, full of clues and twists, code breaking and a terrific plot for readers aged 13 and up.

WRITING COMPETITIONS FOR OUR BUDDING WRITERS!

Let us connect and inspire!

VATE (Victorian Association for the Teaching of English) also invites high school students and teachers across Victoria to share their stories and be included in the human (Being) anthology celebrating queer voices, experiences and creativity.

SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN for short stories, poems, personal pieces lists, letters, comics and illustrations. There’s no ‘right’ way to write. Please access the link for more information:

https://www.vate.org.au/human-being

The annual Insight Creative Writing Competition is now open and free for all high school students, aiming to ignite a passion for creative writing and inspire the voices of the future. Enter the competition and share the chance of winning over $3000 worth of cash prizes.

This year’s optional theme: IGNITE Entries Open: 20/03/2026 and close on 01/09/2026.

For more information, please access https://www.insightpublications.com.au/insight-creative-writing-competition/

PREMIER’S SPIRIT OF ANZAC PRIZE – 2026 STUDENT COMPETITION

The Prize offers young Victorians the opportunity to:

explore Australia's wartime and peacekeeping history
join a fully funded study tour to significant war heritage sites in Türkiye
connect with veterans and the ex-service community
understand and remember the contribution of Victorian service people.

To enter the Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize competition, students must:

Respond to the submission questions in the online application form via the Grants Gateway platform
Provide a signed Prize 2026 Parent/carer declaration consent form
Provide a signed Prize 2026 School representative statement and declaration form.

https://www.vic.gov.au/spirit-anzac-prize-student-competition

https://grantsgateway.dffh.vic.gov.au/s/login/?ec=302&startURL=%2Fs%2F

To provide students more opportunities to join the upcoming commemoration ceremony for ANZAC DAY on April 25, please visit this link:

https://eduvic.sharepoint.com/sites/SchoolUpdate/SitePages/Melbourne-Legacy-ANZAC-commemoration-ceremony-for-students.aspx

WHATS ON IN MELBOURNE FOR OUR STUDENTS/FAMILIES ON THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!

Our beautiful City of Melbourne has heaps of wonderful events, activities, workshops, storytelling/magic shows, concerts and relaxing nature walks (among others) particularly for families and children during the school holidays. Please access these links: