21st Century
Learning Space
RECONCILIATION WEEK
National Reconciliation Week was held from the 27th May to 3rd June - their website states" Reconciliation is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia." This year’s theme for National Reconciliation Week was
"Be Brave. Make Change." There are a lot of wonderful picture books being produced at the moment that help primary school age students understand big issues.
From our display last week we have a new picture book that explores the Reconciliation Week theme beautifully. The title is We are Australians by Duncan Smith and Nicole Godwin and illustrated by Jandamarra Cadd. What does it mean to be a citizen of Australia?
Part of the story says “Listen deeply to stories, to points of view.
To Country. Then treasure our differences. And use our voices.
To speak up and stand together as citizens. As Australians.” I recommend this thoughtful and beautifully illustrated book to everyone.
CHILDREN’S BOOK COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA (CBCA)
Every year the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) announce a list of books that are drawn from entries put forward by Australian publishers for the annual Children’s Book of the Year Awards. The CBCA Books of the Year are regarded as Australia’s most prestigious children’s literature awards. The awards started in 1946 to promote Australian children’s books, by Australian authors and illustrators for Australian children something that I am also passionate about promoting.
At Rowville Primary School, we take a look at five of the six categories of Children’s books: The Younger Readers section, The Early Childhood section, The Picture Book of the Year, The Eve Pownall Award for Information Books and the New Illustrator Award (formerly the Crichton Award).
The six shortlisted titles (taken from the CBCA Notables list) have been announced and we will find out the winners of the awards during Book Week in August. I look forward to sharing these books with you as the year progresses.They are certain to create lots of discussions around children’s literature and encourage us to look at what makes them the best books published last year. Further information is available at https://cbca.org.au
THANK YOU
A big thank you to Rachel Ciechowicz and Tayla K for the generous donation of books to our school. Rachel donated some very popular stories from the Dog Man series,
Ella Diaries, Go Girlz, and Squishy Taylor series as well as some favourites by
Andy Griffiths and many others. Tayla donated Enigma: A Magical Mystery by
Graeme Base and some classroom readers. Our students will thoroughly enjoy reading them. Thank you.
E-SAFETY PICTURE BOOKS
We recently received a new picture book from the Australian Government eSafety Commissioner titled Swoosh, Glide and Rule Number 5. Swoosh and Glide are sugar glider twins who discover the wonderful world of digital technology and learn what to do when something unexpected happens online. The book helps young children be more aware about their online safety. Further resources and an online version of the book can be found at esafety.gov.au/swoosh.
There are several other picture books that might be of interest regarding online safety and aimed at younger children. They are The Technology Tail by Julia Cook, Chicken Clicking and #Goldilocks both written by Jeannie Willis and illustrated by Tony Ross.
These resources are a lovely way to encourage early discussions about how to stay safe online written especially for our younger students.
OLIVER – Our Library Catalogue System
Reminder to all students and parents to please regularly login to ‘Oliver V5’ (our school library catalogue system) to check your library book loans. It is important that books on loan are returned on a regular basis. When logged into Oliver “My Library” it gives you access to features such as Orbit: eBooks, reservations, renewals, news, etc. and a list of the books you have on loan, as well as topics like ‘New Items,’ ‘Matching Your Interests,’ ‘Popular’ and
“Recently Returned.’ Students in Years 3 to 6 have had Oliver Library Sessions in their classrooms and should be familiar with its use.
If you still need help navigating Oliver V5 please take the Guided Tour and/or use the Help? Button. Please contact your classroom teachers or myself if you have further enquiries regarding overdue books or how to access ‘Oliver V5.’
Jackie Hicks
21st Century Learning Space Manager