Library News
Hello from the FWPS Library!
A Warm Welcome to all in 2025
I'm Shannon, your new library specialist teacher. Together with Jane Sherlock, who will assist with grades 1 and 2 on Wednesdays, we're excited to bring the library program to all FWPS students in 2025.
First, I want to acknowledge that we are so lucky to be learning on the lands of the Boon Wurrung and Bunurong First Peoples whose knowledge has been passed down for thousands of years and continues to be shared, respected and honoured by our school community. In our first week, some of our senior students wrote beautiful Acknowledgements of Country:
"I acknowledge the Bunurong and Boon Wurrung for sharing the land with us and telling the stories then and now" - Mai in 5HL
"We thank the Aboriginal People for the land, only taking what they need and sharing stories with us that we can now hear" - Elsa, Eva, Daisy in 5HL
"We acknowledge and are thankful for the great wisdom and knowledge passed down from Aboriginal people." - Partho in 5DW
In our Library Program this year students will enjoy
- Teacher read-alouds each session
- Hands-on learning activities
- Independent reading and borrowing time
In Term 1, we're focusing on essential library skills and exploring our school values through literature by reading books about Respect, Resilience, Responsibility and Belonging. Grades will complete a collaborative activity where all students will contribute to a school display for each of our values. We will continue to revisit these values throughout the rest of the year while exploring a variety of other topics via the wonderful world of books!
Library Bags
Your child is welcome to bring any type of soft material bag or tote to school on their library day to use as a library bag. Grade Preps can use their red “Ready, Set, Prep” bags they received on their first day of school.
Overdue Books
We know that books can go missing but we encourage students and families to look high and low until they have found their missing books. If you are unable to find a book please pay just $15 at the office so we can replace the book, and your child can re-commence borrowing.
Coming Soon
Premier's Reading Challenge. For students who may wish to sign-up for this, the Challenge encourages children to read a set number of books over the year and record their efforts online. Watch for details in March about this exciting reading program that runs until September.
Our Grade 4 students will participate in an Author Book Launch Incursion on Monday 3rd March. We are lucky enough to have the author Dr Judy Friedlander host an engaging, environmentally focused incursion featuring her forthcoming book, The Bee Squad. This was kindly arranged by The Chestnut Tree, our local community bookshop and connects wonderfully with our school vision “Working together to create a better world” as our students will explore ways to increase biodiversity in our local area.
Thank You to Our Community
Our library has gotten off to an incredible start thanks to our wonderful parent volunteers - Kerri, Bec, Brad, Sarah, and Kate - who've helped with shelving, displays, and book covering. We've also been inspired by our enthusiastic student helpers from grades 3-5 who have already shown tremendous initiative in caring for our library space. Thank you Olive, Aster, Astrid and Vivienne in 3TM, Ida in 3MP, Oliver in 4CL and Mai in 5HL who have been a huge help in Weeks 1 and 2.
Become a Student Librarian!
Students in Grades 4-6 can nominate themselves in Week 4 during their library session. These students will help put books back on the shelf, tidy displays and make some signs for our new areas and special events. We'll create a roster for two students per grade to visit one lunch/recess per week to help make our library even better.
Looking forward to a wonderful 2025 in the Library. Happy reading everyone!
Shannon
Library Specialist Teacher
