Maria SMITH

Head of Library

HIGHVALE STUDENTS COMMEMORATE REMEMBRANCE DAY

At lunchtime on November 11, some Highvale students gathered in the library to colour/cut out poppies to commemorate REMEMBRANCE DAY while paying respect to those who have died for PEACE AND FREEDOM. The student then pinned the poppies on our Remembrance Day Bulletin Board with some understanding of the significance of this important day.

WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY 2024 AT HIGHVALE

There is no shortage of wonderful messages for Highvale teachers on WTD 2024! Please enjoy below messages that truly reflect the caring support of our passionate teachers at HSC, and the sincere appreciation and gratitude coming from our students.

LIBRARY MONITORS 2025

Thank you to all the students who applied to volunteer in our library. Library Monitors provide invaluable support during lunchtime at our Circulation Desk while learning communication and other essential skills for future employment. Training will be provided at the start of the year. Congratulations to our new team of Library Monitors for 2025:

Alyssa P. (7E), Niya R. (7A), Senuli T. (7A), Amelia W. (7C), Sally Y. (7B), Sara K. (8.4), Angela L. (8.5), Jonelle W. (8.8), Andrea Z. (8.8), Priya P. (9.7), Calista D. (9.2), Janet H. (9.3), Sai G. (10.2) and Victoria L. (10.5)

THANK YOU, MRS BALDWIN!

We recognise the important role that our Library Assistant, Mrs Baldwin has played over the last three years. A passionate teacher herself, Mrs Baldwin has proactively supported and connected well with staff and students. We will certainly miss her smile and jolly demeanour. We wish her good health and happiness!

INSPIRATIONAL NEWS FOR OUR HIGHVALE WRITERS’ CLUB FOLLOWERS!

Remember the Insight Writing Competition? A Highvale student was runner-up in the competition!

Congratulations SAMUEL RIDDETT for getting into the Top Ten with the meaningful short story “Am I still a mother?”, a creative piece reflecting Remembrance Day. (story shared in the English Department News)

HIGHVALE BOOK REVIEWERS SEGMENT

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (reviewed by Riya Satishkumar)

A world divided by blood - red and silver. Reds are commoners ruled by Silvers, the elite. A race of individuals who are born with a set to powers and extraordinary abilities. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard is a story about Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old girl, from a poverty-stricken family who was destined to serve in war like her brother before her. This is, until she finds herself working at the silver palace, surrounded by the people she loathes the most. Mare discovers that despite the red blood that courses through her veins, she possesses her own set of powers, potentially stronger than any other silvers.

Red Queen is a trilogy filled with betrayal, lies, romance and power, having the same vibe of the Hunger Games, Divergent and the selection, drawing over similar tropes of average dystopian genre like love triangles, resistance armies, and betrayal from unexpected acquaintances. I couldn’t put it down, enticed by the words and sitting at the end of my seat, wanting to know what would happen next.

STUDENT CONTRIBUTION

A collection of limericks by Wily Wizard (pen name)

On Friday, Miss Sophie Von Lear,

Witnessed a lovely white cat disappear,

She laughed with such glee,

For it was nowhere to be,

Why, it's Simultanagnosia my dear!

Today, Countess Cali went fishing,

For a fish or a toad or a living,

It is hard to be sure,

For in all three she is poor,

To conclude, she is only left wishing.

One frosty July, an old porter,

Named Pearce fell into the water,

Mr Chau, in a panic,

Felt dizzy- It's ischaemic!

And promptly fell down still further.

King Wang from the Kingdom of Joe,

Had many and many a foe,

One day his advisor,

Who- infinitely wiser-,

Cried, King Wang, soon comes the crow!

Two bandits: Ayaka and Yifan,

Were robbing Mr Schmid- they began

To grab all of his cash,

His food and then dash,

But in their rush they forgot their sedan.

Doc Pethick had not seen such a blister,

As that on Don Starnes of La Mister,

Who claimed: a disease!

His life, it would seize!

Foretold, the future seemed quicker.

One Wednesday, Miss Zhang and her toad,

Were alone and feeling quite low,

For try as they might,

There was no-one in sight,

But the other: the source of their woe.

A rat named Zoe was in terrible pain,

Left on her side: decaying and maimed,

On a tuna she was left,

But on the cat's request,

The diner soon had her exchanged.

CHECK OUT THESE MOST RECENT ARRIVALS!

Legend of the Lighthouse Moon (by Helen Edwards) Set in the 1970s on Kangaroo Island, Mona McKenna and brother Albert live with their grandparents at Cape Willougby Lighthouse. Missing her mother who died five years ago and her father who disappeared, Mona has been struggling to cope after her type 1 diabetes diagnosis. A wonderful story of family, resilience, love of nature and an encounter with the mysterious sea lions.

When We Flew Away (by Alice Hoffman) The fictional story of Anne Frank set in the Netherlands from 1940-1942 before she was in hiding, through research and cooperation from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Hoffman has given readers a wonderful and lyrical journey of Anne’s life and relationship with her family and friends amidst the terrible challenges and brutality she witnessed and experienced during this time.

Just Another Story (by Ernesto Saade) A powerful graphic ‘migration account’ novel about a family’s journey for a better life, told in simple words and presented in a thoughtful non-fiction manner through the eyes of Ernesto and his cousin Carlos who fled El Salvador 10 years earlier. Best suited to our young readers 14 years and above.

I Shall Never Fall in Love (by Hari Conner) Inspired by Jane Austen and perfect for those who love Heartstopper, Bloom and Croucher, this “joyfully queer and stunningly romantic graphic novel” set in Regency England is sure to entertain our young-at-heart readers from 14 years and above. If you are into Jane Austen romantic stories, this is for you!

CONNECTING OUR HIGHVALE FAMILY TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY

FEEL THE CHRISTMAS FEELING!

What’s On in Melbourne in December!

Please check this out:

https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/christmas

WHY NOT VISIT AUSTRALIA’S OLDEST PUBLIC LIBRARY!

A Melbourne landmark and cultural icon established in 1854 as the Melbourne Public Library, the State Library of Victoria is Australia's oldest public library and one of the first free public libraries in the world.

There are touring exhibitions and guided tours to explore the various galleries of the library.

https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/state-library-victoria

ENJOY OUR BEAUTIFUL MELBOURNE FOR FREE!

Free family-friendly events

Until 20 Dec ACMI Preschoolers

A fun, free program created for 2–5-year-olds to enjoy ACMI with their parent, grandparent or carer to help young learners to engage in digital art, Film, TV and video games ideas and concepts.

Until 11 Dec Songbirds

Come along to North Melbourne Library on Mondays and Wednesdays for songs, rhymes and stories that will engage your budding bookworm’s mind introducing them to the fun and rhythm of language.

Until 30 Jun Shrine Kids

Embark on a family adventure with Shrine Kids, an engaging program designed for discovery at the Shrine. Unlock the secrets, discover how things work, use your imagination, solve the mysteries – and take part in a scavenger hunt.

Until 31 Dec Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure

Entertain kids by taking the outdoor adventure challenge in the heritage-listed Fitzroy Gardens, starting off at the Visitor Centre (open every day except Christmas) to collect their map and head off on a hunt to answer 12 questions around the gardens. Suitable for primary school-aged children with adult assistance. Remember to bring a pen or marker.

Until 9 Dec STEAM After School at North Melbourne Library

Explore the fun of science, technology, engineering, art and maths with hands-on activities at the North Melbourne Library.

Suitable for 7-12 years old.

START EXPLORING MELBOURNE’S ICONIC MARKETS AND RELAX TO A TEA!

https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/article/the-ultimate-guide-to-melbournes-best-markets

https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/queen-victoria-market

https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/shop/melbourne-book-market

Mobile Phones - Student Use