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Library news

by Ms Emily Collins & Ms Kylie Pearson, School Librarians

WELCOME BACK! It has been so lovely to see everyone back in the library and we have so many events and clubs that are running this year. Hopefully, there is something here for everyone. 

Running every week in the library

MONDAY LUNCHTIME 

  • Jigsaw Puzzle Club 

Where: Library 

Who is it for? Open to everyone, jigsaw puzzles are a wonderful way for students to connect with others and improve problem-solving and visual-spatial skills.  

How does it work? Students are issued a puzzle and a timer, and work in teams of 2-4 to complete the puzzle before the end of the lunch bell. All times are entered into a database and the fastest teams are invited to compete in the Victorian Jigsaw Championships - Schools Division later this year.  In 2025, the students from Box Hill High School were crowned the State School Jigsaw Puzzle Champions, completing a 500-piece puzzle in just over an hour. This earned us an invitation to represent Victoria in the National competition where the students knocked over 20 minutes off their time to come in 4th in Australia. We look forward to seeing this club grow over the year. 

 

If students do not wish to compete, they are still welcome to bring their lunch, select a puzzle and work collaboratively with others to complete a puzzle.  

 

TUESDAY LUNCHTIME  

  • Writing Club is run by the fabulous Mr Dobson, every Tuesday lunchtime. 

Where: Room 217 in the library. 

How does it work? Students canbring their lunch and meet with other passionate writers; just turn up and bring some creative flair.   

 

  • WEDNESDAY LUNCHTIME  

Board Games and Chess Club are run in the library every Wednesday lunchtime. Where: Room 217 in the library. 

We have a whole range of different board games that students can come into the library and play. Chess boards and clocks are also available. 

 

THURSDAY LUNCHTIME  

  • Photography Club  

Where: Room 217 in the library. 

This student-led club is open to all students who are interested in learning about how to take a quality image. We have 15 digital cameras in the library and students are encouraged to use their new skills to take images for the school magazine, CrossRoads.  

 

FRIDAY LUNCHTIME 

  • Knitting and Crochet Club is run by our creative Library Technician, Ying Yu. The club meets every Friday lunchtime. 

Where: the library. 

How does it work? We provide everything - the knitting needles, the crocheting hooks, and the wool so students just need to bring their lunch. Everyone is welcome - from beginners to experts .  It is a fabulous way to wind down at the end of the week! 

Upcoming events

  • THE INTERSCHOOL CHESS TOURNAMENT will run on Friday 27 March - This was a tremendous success last year and students played in the competition with students from six other schools. If you are interested, let Ms Pearson or Ms Collins know. 

     

  • UNO TOURNAMENT – This will be held in Week 6 and students can sign up in the library with Ms Collins.

     

  • WRITE A BOOK IN A DAY 2026 - While this event will not run until Term 2 and 3 of 2026, last year we had record numbers when over 300 students took part and sign up is in Term 1. 

  • What is it? This is a competition where students work in teams of between 5-10, to write, illustrate and publish a book in 12 hours. We start at 8:00am and finish at 8:00pm and we get pizza in for dinner. So, if you are a keen writer or artist and fancy finding out more about this, we will be running an information session in the library late February and early March. And if you cannot make that, come in and chat with us.   

Library Leaders

LIBRARY LEADERS are VERY important to our school community. Students in the role help to keep the library a vibrant, contemporary, and visible space while building their confidence and leadership skills. We have a large group of library leaders but welcome anyone who would like to join our wonderful team. Interested? See Ms Pearson or Ms Collins. 

2026 Reading Challenge

On Thursday 12 February the library team ran the first English Masterclass sessionto launch the 2026 Reading Challenge.  

 

Students were presented with the powerful benefits of reading before being introduced to the challenge. Want to be more curious, more thoughtful, more empathetic, more knowledgeable and just an all-round better human? Join us in the 2026 Reading Challenge which is all about building these skills through the power of reading a book.   

 

Based off the CBCA 2026 Book Week theme Symphony of Stories, students who join are encouraged to create their own orchestra from stories that they choose. There are fabulous prizes for everyone who gets involved but the biggest reward will be the increase in knowledge, vocabulary, creative writing skills, focus and a whole lot more.  

 

Interested? See Ms Pearson or Ms Collins in the library.

Mystery Mondays

If you love strategy, logic and the art of deduction, you might like to take part in our Mystery Murdle Monday Puzzle. Every Monday, we will post a ‘Murdle Mystery’ and students will have one full week to solve the puzzle. There is an entry box in the library, and the winners will be announced the following Monday.   

General information 

  • Homework Club will run every night from 3:00-4:00pm except Friday when the library will close at 3:00pm. Ms Willshire will be available every Monday to provide Maths support starting in Week 5. 

  • Chess can be played every recess and lunchtime daily. 

  • The Gauntlet and Sudoku puzzles are back in 2026! House points and cool stickers to be won daily. 

  • The Library Loyalty Cards are also back in 2026! Great prizes to be won every term so if you borrow a book from us, please ask for a Loyalty Card.