Lunchtime Chess in the Library

Lunchtime Chess in the Library has been a hit with students. Thank you to Year 12 student, Ty Irvine, who organised the first round robin draw and collated the rules. Players use a digital chess clock counting down 10 minutes per player, with winners going through to the next round in a fast-paced and fun challenge.

According to studies done at the University of Memphis, playing chess significantly improves children's visual memory, attention span, and spatial-reasoning ability. Playing chess also develops planning and foresight skills, improves problem-solving skills, promotes creativity, enhances reading skills (Margulies, 1991), exercises both hemispheres of the brain and stimulates brain growth https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/27306/20200915/10-things-playing-chess-brain.htm ).

Easter

“Come, Holy Angels,

Into this dark night.

Roll away the stone of Death.

Let the light of life

shine from heaven.”

Easter Carol (17th Century) from Prayers and Verses, 2016 [available for loan from the College Library].

We celebrate the coming of the most important event in the Christian calendar with displays in the Library of Easter books amid decorations of trees, lights and eggs, representing resurrection and renewal. Students have also been colouring in Easter pictures during lunchtime. All the beautiful pictures are on display at the Library entrance.

New e-book and e-audiobook collection online through the Library catalogue in Term 2

The College Library will be introducing the new OverDrive e-book and e-audiobook collection at the start of Term 2. This collection is used by many Catholic Education Sandhurst schools, presenting the added advantage of all these schools within CES being able to share access and cost of these quality digital resources. The collection will be for loan through the Library catalogue and via Sora, an easy-to-use and engaging student reading app. Coming newsletters will provide more information about this important new learning resource.

Some of the new books in our Library

This impressive monthly collection is curated by Lamonts, an Australian and family owned and operated business who have been leading children’s book specialists for the past 20 years. The new collection each month features the most outstanding books from the widest range of publishers, without preference for popular publishing houses. Each book in the monthly collection comes with reviews and reading recommendations, together with a Book of the Month. An additional selection included in the economical standing order with Lamonts features the best books for emerging readers in secondary schools.

The Edge of Thirteen by Nova Weetman

Clem Timmins can't wait to see her best friends after being apart all summer holidays. But when they get back together, things have changed. Bridge is boy-crazy and acting like a different person. Ellie is wearing a bra and having a real-life romance. Clem feels left behind. When she makes friends with Tom, suddenly everyone's gossiping about whether they're going to be a couple. Clem's got no interest in having a boyfriend. Or does she?

The Gaps by Leanne Hall

When sixteen-year-old Yin Mitchell is abducted, the news reverberates through the whole Year Ten class at Balmoral Ladies College. As the hours tick by, the girls know the chance of Yin being found alive is becoming smaller and smaller.

Waking Romeo by Kathryn Barker

It's the end of the world. Literally. Time travel is possible, but only forwards. And only a handful of families choose to remain in the 'now', living off the scraps that were left behind. Among these are eighteen-year-old Juliet and the love of her life, Romeo. But things are far from rosy for Jules. Romeo is in a coma and she's estranged from her friends and family, dealing with the very real fallout of their wild romance. Then a handsome time traveller, Ellis, arrives with an important mission that makes Jules question everything she knows about life and love. Can Jules wake Romeo and rewrite her future?

Crossed Spaces - Short Stories in Other Worlds by Lynne Stringer & R.A. Stephens

A handsome clockmaker fixes a broken time machine to help a cursed lady. A young scientist betrays his people to protect an alien species. A girl bonds with her new technological helper and sees in him a personality and a soul. A boy finds his whole life changing when his best friend writes in a mysterious notebook.

Harmony by Ricahard Yaxley

In 1914, Tom Stott falls in love with Gracie O’Donnell, but their love is thwarted by circumstance and war. Tom finds himself part of the blood-soaked landings at Gallipoli, while Gracie marries another. A deception, born in a place and time on the brink of war, traverses the world as successive generations seek freedom in a century of change.

Violet Black by Eileen Merriman

Set in the near future, this first book in a fast-paced trilogy will hook you in from the first page.

Violet Black and Ethan Wright are both in a coma after contracting the lethal M-fever. They have never met...

Tell Me Why by Archie Roach

In his inspirational, highly acclaimed memoir- and including reflections from First Nations Elders and young people - Archie Roach tells the story of his life and his music. Only two when he was forcibly removed from his family, and brought up by a series of foster parents until his early teens, Archie’s world imploded when he received a letter that spoke of a life he had no memory of.

The Golden Tower by Belinda Murrell

In her wildest dreams, Sophie never thought she might be kidnapped by a cat and taken to a world of flying horses and wonder – but also magic, mystery and danger!

The Detective’s Guide to Ocean Travel by Nicki Greenberg

Six Seconds by Alan Sunderland

Growing up by the beach in Newcastle in 1989 means footy, sandcastle competitions and school. Michael's dad's a journalist and his small world gets bigger as he starts to pay attention to the news. His interest turns into anxiety and obsession as Michael begins to see the world as a dangerous place that is fast collapsing around him.

The Detective’s Guide to Ocean Travel by Nicki Greenberg

The first middle-grade novel from award-winning author Nicki Greenberg, this book is a classic whodunnit mystery set aboard a grand ocean liner in the 1920s. With first-class glitz and glamour and a deliciously plotted intrigue featuring an uppity stage star, a missing diamond, a leopard and a loveable cast of child sleuths, The Detective's Guide to Ocean Travel is an exciting romp on the high seas, perfect for fans of Murder Most Unladylike and The Good Thieves.

St Joseph's College, Echuca

Issue 4 · 25 Mar 2021

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