Maria SMITH

Librarian

EXCITING NEWS: OVER 90 HSC STUDENTS HAVE REGISTERED FOR THE VICTORIAN PREMIERS’ READING CHALLENGE!

We now have more than 90 students registered for the Reading Challenge! Visit the Library (or email msm@highvalesc.vic.edu.au) to request for your login details, it's never too late to register.

The Challenge is open to children from Prep to Year 2 who are encouraged to read or ‘experience’ 30 books with their parents and teachers, and those from Year 3 to Year 10 to read 15 books by 6 September 2024.
All those who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former Premiers.

For more information about the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge, visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-reading-challenge

WELCOME TO OUR BOOK REVIEWERS SEGMENT

Well done to students who have joined the Reading Challenge and have also submitted book reviews published on the VPRC website!

Change of heart ★★★ (by Nova Weetman)

This book was really good and gave you control about how you want the story to end. However, there was no suspense throughout the book, and the resolution was very predictable. (Misha P. 7B)

The Only Girl in Town★★★★ (by Ally Condie)

I liked the ending when July said "No matter how much you want to, you can't get them back. Instead you let them go" in her mind. She puts down everything that is bothering her or dragging her down, she doesn't see those things and the past as a big deal. She goes on with a good attitude of her life. This book is inspiring when I am worrying about my relationships with other people going messy or wrong in some way, and trying to make everything better but also afraid that I will do something wrong. (Tingyu L. 9.5)

Dead Girls Don’t Lie ★★★★ (by Jennifer Shaw)

The novel is very interesting, with plot twists. It is horror, mystery and romance all mixed in one. (Kaiyuan Y. 8.8)

If you could see the sun ★★★★★ (by Ann Liang)

The book focuses on Alice Sun who is given the power of turning invisible, only she can't control when it happens. She decides to use her ability to earn some money. The author had a well-written out plot that engaged me throughout, with well-developed characters. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, as it had a unique plot twister and well planned out ending. I highly recommend the novel to anyone who enjoys suspenseful stories :) (Amelie P. 8.6)

Smile ★★★★★ (by Raina Telgemeier)

It was a great book that was very relatable for Year 6's - Year 9's. I would definitely recommend! (Vivienne Y. 7F)

The Outsiders ★★★★★ (by S.E. Hinton)

This book was absolutely magnificent and gave me a whole new perspective on life. The writing style is simplistic, yet so addictive and effective. Fantastic! (Golnaz S. 7A)

Darkstalker (by Tui Sutherland)

This book is very good and I love how the author tells stories in different character perspectives. (Senuli T. 7A)

MORE MAY ARRIVALS FOR STUDENTS/STAFF TO BORROW!

Secondary Fiction Highlights

One by One They Disappear by Mike Lucas – a wonderful story drawn from The Brothers Grimm fairy tales, set in the Second World War; “when the fog comes, it stays, and everything disappears …”

Into the Mouth of the Wolf by Erin Gough – a nail-biting page-turner written for young adults focussing on 17-year old Iris and a stranger named Lena, and how they have been forced together only to find out their lives will change forever … a queer romance, murder mystery!

Lower Secondary Fiction Highlight

The Battle for Victoria Street (My Australian Story) by Gabiann Marin – a historical fiction novel set in Sydney in 1973 when Billie, her family and neighbours find themselves involved in a public protest to save their homes and way of life. Recommended for historical fiction lovers!

Wildfire by Breena Bard – set in Oregon in 2020, this story of wildfires will resonate with Australians with our experience of the 2019 bushfires, emotional and powerful personalising the effects of climate change.

CELEBRATING OUR STUDENTS’ CREATIVITY

Well done Cassandra H. (8.4), Angela L. (8.5) and Jonelle W. (8.8) for creating wonderful bookmarks and adding to our collection of FREE bookmarks for everyone. Angela has drawn beautiful sunflowers while Jonelle’s creation has been inspired by her favourite Vagabond Manga character. Cassandra has also put together a “Scavenger Hunt with a positive message” puzzle that starts from the Library door. Well done girls!

INSPIRATIONAL HIGHVALE WRITERS CLUB SEGMENT (HWC)

The HWC is a great opportunity to promote student voice and agency through their creativity while inspiring others in our Highvale Community. Well done students for demonstrating our school value of excellence by contributing to our HWC segment. If you have any creative/inspiring work, please email msm@highvalesc.vic.edu.au and be a published literary creator in our monthly Newsletter!

GROWTH VS FIXED MINDSET VISUAL REPRESENTATION (by Ker She P. 7F)

Well done Ker She for creating and sharing your own visual representation of the Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset concept! Your ideas can be a source of motivation for our HSC students to explore and enrich themselves on which mindset to develop and adopt to help improve their learning outcomes. Ker She has definitely demonstrated the school value of excellence in her creativity while sending a positive message.

Flowers are not what make love

By Chloe S. (8.7)

Hidden in green grass

Like a lady behind a curtain

A flower leads life.

Its beauty is endangered

As one plucks it for oneself

Let it enjoy life.

Beloved can be pleased

With a word of praise for her

Why kill its beauty?

Born to spread fragrance

To sweeten the hearts of others

Not to endure pain.

Let the flowers be free

And let you soar

For love can be found within.

It Was Just My Thoughts

By Hasini C. (8.2)

I look up at the ceiling,

Descending, descending, descending

I look down at the ground,

Falling, falling, falling

I look around at the people,

Laughing, laughing, laughing

I close my eyes,

Hoping, hoping, hoping

And then it stops.

I open my eyes;

It wasn't real,

It was just my thoughts,

Thinking, thinking, thinking.

INSIGHT CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION, HALFWAY THERE!

For our budding writers, why not submit an entry to the Insight Writing Competition, please check this out:

https://www.insightpublications.com.au/2024-insight-creative-writing-competition/

SOMETHING NEW … A RELAXING JIGSAW PUZZLE CORNER IN OUR LIBRARY!

Staff and students can now relax and de-stress any day at Lunchtime at our Jigsaw Puzzle corner. Just sit down with a friend and quietly put together a 300-piece (to start with) Star Wars puzzle. Special mention to Yanxi (Louis) W. 8.7 and Eamon A. 7B for starting and completing the final pieces of the puzzle with other students helping at lunchtime or after school. Everyone welcome!!

AN OPEN INVITATION FOR STUDENTS TO BE MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE

This year’s Earth Day theme Planet vs Plastics highlights “an unwavering commitment to stop plastics for the health of both humans and the planet. It is calling for a 60% reduction in plastic production by 2040, with the goal of building a plastic-free world for future generations.” (earthday.org)

Thank you to those who have made fantastic suggestions on how to reduce the use of plastic at our school, this can open up fruitful initiatives. The bottom line: looking after our environment should be an ongoing responsibility (not just on Earth Day in April every year) to contribute towards achieving environmental sustainability for the common good.

Here is an open invitation for our Highvale students to be more environmentally responsible. Email msm@highvale.vic.edu.au on how our school community can do this ... together! For now, start doing the right thing (use the garbage bins) and keep Highvale clean/rubbish free!

EDUCATION SUPPORT PERSONNEL (ESP) DAY

On May 16, Highvale SC acknowledged the hard work of our caring, supportive and dedicated ES staff. To our Highvale Community, let us continue to celebrate and appreciate the valuable contribution of our ES personnel. (Photo credit: AEU)

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK Theme: Now More than Ever (27 May - 3 June)

On May 29, Highvale SC registered for the “Wear It Yellow Fundraiser”; showed the film “In My Blood It Runs” and invited Koorie Engagement Local Officer Mark Lumley to speak during Focus Group.

Framed by the anniversaries of the 1967 Referendum (27 May) and the High Court Mabo decision (3 June), this week is a time for all Australians to reflect on shared histories and relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and explore ways to contribute to achieving reconciliation.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK 2024

Theme: Something for Everyone (20-26 May)

At Highvale Library, we value the support of our Library Monitors (Priya P., Xinyi S., Benson Z., Freya H., Callista D., Janet S., Thinuli T., Sheena L., Aleena J. and Caitlyn Y.). HSC has a high number of student-volunteers as student leaders in the Junior/Senior School, SRC and Wellbeing Teams, as Office Duty Monitors and for other student clubs/musical and sports events.

Most recently, well done Riddhi J. (11.3) and Natasha S. (10.8) for setting up and helping supervise students in the Library for the Kahoot Quiz on World Cultural Diversity Day on May 21. Hats off to all our admirable STUDENT VOLUNTEERS!

CONNECTING OUR HIGHVALE FAMILY TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY

EXCITING NEWS!

Our very own Freya H. (10.3) will be performing at the 72nd Melbourne Gang Show 2024! The MGS is an annual musical presented by the Scouts and Guides of Melbourne that has been for the last 70 years “providing young people with opportunities to develop confidence, resilience and teamwork through the performing arts”.

This year the sensational MGS Cast and Crew present an original two-act Musical ‘Once upon a Crime’ set in the 1920s Hollywood filled with fairy-tale characters, depicting a murder disrupting the filming of "Jack and the Beanstalk." For more information on performance dates and booking/payment details, please click https://www.gangshow.org/

Monash University Performing Arts Centres presents First Nations violinist Eric Avery as part of the 2024 Sundays in the Sound Gallery series.

When: Sunday, 16 June 2024 at 03:00 PM - 04:15 PM

Where: Monash University Performing Arts Centres, 48 Exhibition Walk, Clayton VIC 3800, Clayton, 3800

Eric has shared stages with luminaries including Yo-Yo Ma and Tina Arena; Camerata Queensland, Ensemble Offspring, the JACK Quartet, along with Australia’s foremost orchestras, and was recognised in 2021 as a Myer Creative Fellow, solidifying his role as a cultural ambassador and artistic visionary.

https://www.monash.vic.gov.au/Things-to-Do/Festivals-and-Events/Events/Eric-Avery

Study Session	Location	Time
Junior School Tutoring	S3	3pm - 4pm
English (Years 7, 8 & 9)	Library	3pm - 4pm

Tutoring

Unfortunately, due to changes in Department of Education Policy, senior after-school tutoring program (Yr 10, 11 & 12 will be discontinued effective 22nd May 2024.