Maria SMITH

Head of Library

CELEBRATING AND HONOURING MOTHERS AT OUR HIGHVALE COMMUNITY!

Highvale students responded positively to personalized “Happy Mothers’ Day” cards printed in the library, with over 200 students happily taking cards home to write beautiful messages for their mothers or mother figures. We hope it has made your Mothers’ Day special!

Some students’ reflections on why their MUMs are special:

“My mum is special because she always stays brave and strong no matter what happens.”

“Mum provides and does everything for me, cooking, buying me clothes and things I like.”

“My mum takes me everywhere, to sports practice, swimming lessons and wherever I need to go, sometimes to see my friends.”

“I love my mum because she is a good role model for me, she gives me good advice when “I am confused and can’t decide on stuff.”

“My mum encourages me to study and does well at school so I can achieve my goals.”

“I love my mum because she is gentle and cares a lot for people.”

“My mum plans everything in my family, she is always busy doing things. She was working on Mothers’ Day, but I wrote her a card and told her she is special.”

HAPPY ESP DAY TO ALL OUR EDUCATION SUPPORT STAFF!

ESP Day 2026 falls on Saturday (16 May). Highvale holds a morning tea to recognize the valuable contribution of our school’s ES Staff from administration, classroom, maintenance, library and allied health support. Following this event is the Victorian Education Week from 18 May to 22 May with this year’s theme: “Showcase you school”

LIBRARY MONITORS DELIGHTED WITH PRINCIPAL’S SPECIAL VISIT AND GREAT NEWS!

A quick meeting and a “thank you’ morning tea for our Library Monitors turned into a delightful surprise as Principal Evan Miller (despite his hectic timetable) dropped by to share some great news for our Library. Certainly excited and curious, the Monitors eagerly asked questions! Watch this space once proposed changes are confirmed, turning our Library into an exciting modernized cultural and learning hub for staff and students!

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK 2026

(27 May- 3 June)

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn more about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore and find more ways how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

This week is framed by the anniversaries of two significant milestones – the successful 1967 Referendum (27 May) and the High Court Mabo decision (3 June).

The theme, All In, is a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day… it will not happen by itself and will not happen without all of us.

For more info, please visit https://www.reconciliationvic.org.au/act/reconciliation-week

FOUR MONTHS TO GO, SO PLENTY OF TIME TO FINISH THE READING CHALLENGE!

We now have a total of around 50 students participating in the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge. For Years 7-10 students wanting to register, please email the Librarian for your login details: maria.smith@education.vic.gov.au or simply visit the library anytime at Recess or Lunch.

With this year’s theme “Stories to discover. Stories to tell.” the VPRC has been an amazing initiative since 2005 that:
encourages and develops the joy of reading
welcomes all children from birth to Year 10 to participate
can be tailored to individual needs, please access this link:

https://www.vic.gov.au/including-all-students-premiers-reading-challenge

MORE AMAZING BOOK REVIEWS FROM OUR READING CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS!

It is truly inspiring how some of our Reading Challenge participants demonstrate our school value of EXCELLENCE through writing amazing books reviews! They certainly deserve a special space in our Library News highlights! We are inviting other participants to write book reviews that can also be published statewide on our VPRC website.

How we fall apart by Katie Zhao ★★★

Where to begin? Shall we begin where the two main characters (who we're apparently supposed to root for) kill a person? Or where the person they killed hadn't been killed in the first place and got plastic surgery in order to be unrecognisable- to effectively get them back? (This was a ridiculous plot point.) Or the romanticising of mental health issues?! Or where the main character is heartless and dates a teacher to get good grades?! Other than that, the writing style was... engaging, but repetitive. (Golnaz S. Y9)

Teacher's pet by Nicole Andelfinger★★★★

This book is a great read; it's one you can read over and over without getting bored. It's a graphic novel great for nights I want to relax and wind down, and the illustrations are so well drawn. I love how the characters Elizabeth and Jessica are both so different but connect in such similar ways. (Maya P. Y8)

When Michael met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah★★★

I would rate this a 3- star because the learning bit can be important. The moral can help a lot of people. The perspectives of both of the characters are really good, and it can be interesting to read two people's perspective instead of one person's perspective in a book. (Kyra P. Y7)

The girl who knew too much by Tiffany Brooks ★★★

This book is about a young girl who gets ashamed in the social media and is de-motivated and now trying to forget about her past life and trying to start a new one. She joins a reality TV show to prove her talents and show everyone that she is not the girl they think she is but a different person. (Harshini H. Y7)

Diary of a wimpy kid: old school by Jeff Kinney ★★★★★

I think the writing style of Jeff Kinney is really entertaining and different compared to other books I've read. The way he describes and voices his main character, Greg, and paints his personality, is very unique from other books taking place at school and in the regular life of a student. This book was a bit short and a little simple, but the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series is one that I will definitely revisit again, partly because I also haven't finished the series yet! (Livia F. Y7)

The house of shells by Efua Traore ★★★★

The House of Shells was an amazing read with a plot twist just when you think you know everything. It was hard to put down and kept me at the edge of my seat, with a nail-biting ending. (Maya P. Y8)

Darius the Great deserves better by Adib Khorram ★★★

This sequel lacked the masterful weaving of cultural identity into the main character's daily life that the first book had so much of. I will say that reading this is entertaining as I learnt about other aspects of the main character's identity. Pretty well-written. (Golnaz S. (Y9)

Quidditch through the ages by J.K. Rowling ★★★★★

Quidditch Through the Ages is a great book that explains a bit more about the popular sport played in JK Rowling's Harry Potter series! This book is written in a way that feels as though this is an actual official book about a real sport, which fits very well in the idea that wizards and witches are reading an informative, historical book in their world. These short story books give more insight into the lore of Harry Potter, and I can't wait to read the other extra stories JK Rowling has written! (Livia F. Y7)

Lottie Brooks vs the ultra-mean girls by Katie Kirby ★★★★

Wow, this book is definitely a roller coaster of friendship, drama and life of an 8th grader at school! As Lottie Brooks steps into 8th grade, lots of friendship drama occurs. With their friend Amber completely ignoring them and leaving their group, the Queens of Eight Green and joining the Ultra Mean Girls Gang. Will Lottie be able to bring Amber back to their group?? This book is certainly a 4 out of 5 keeping you on the edge of your seat and wondering what other WACKY things Lottie will get up to!! (Diya V. Y7)

CHECK OUT OUR EXCITING NEW ARRIVALS IN MAY if you need to top up on your reading list for the winter!

And for our Manga lovers, a complete set (18 books) of the Black Bird series written by globally acclaimed Kanoko Sakurakouji, winning the 54th Shogakukan Manga Award for this series. If you are a fan of the Vampire and Twilight series, here is a perfect blend!

Come and see our display, borrow and enjoy!!

SECONDARY FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH – “The Apocalypse and other Mild inconveniences” by Alex Dyson

This is a fast-paced, hilarious adventure story that tackles the hot issue of climate change with central themes, family and friendship. Set in 2043 with main characters Xavier, Charlotte and Ted’ki becoming the best of friends despite disagreements and arguments, most of the time turning into jokes and laughter. Borrow this book before it disappears on our shelves!

THINGS TO DO AT OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

Visit the Westfield SC Knox Library that forms part of the YOURLIBRARY network.

With the winter months coming up, YOURLIBRARY has heaps for everyone, visit https://www.yourlibrary.vic.gov.au/. The website also offers events/activities for individuals and families to enjoy.

To join Your Library: https://www.yourlibrary.vic.gov.au/joinonline/

FINALLY, MEET AMAZING AUTUMN AUTHORS THROUGH YOURLIBRARY!

For a great opportunity to listen to amazing writers and their stories, please visit

https://events.yourlibrary.vic.gov.au/search?c=14&l=3,5,7,9,1,12,2,13&q=AUTHOR

BOB RICH (Thursday 21 May at 2:00 PM Healesville Library) talks about grief and bereavement in his book “The Hole in Your Life”. This is a FREE event. (photo credit: Mountain Gate Star Mail)

KATE MILDENHALL (Thursday 21 May at 6:30 PM Rowville Library at Stud Park Centre, Rowville) author and podcaster Mildenhall explores her latest literary thriller “The Hiding Place”, check this out!

EMILY WEBB (Saturday 23 May at 11 AM, Bayswater Library, Shop 43, Mountain High SC, 7-13 High St. Bayswater) acclaimed best-selling author, podcast host and producer, journalist and licensed investigator, took interest in suburban cold cases and wrote several books on true crime and real people’s stories in “Murder in the Suburbs”.

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