CELEBRATING HARMONY WEEK AT HIGHVALE!

Demonstrating inclusiveness and respect for other cultures, Highvale students celebrated Harmony Week writing reflections on the significance of the day, chalk-drawing flags of different countries on the courtyard, dressing up in their cultural costumes with a gold coin donation towards UNICEF. Please enjoy our Harmony Week photo gallery!

A REMARKABLE SCHOOL HOLIDAY ENCOUNTER WITH BRIGID CARRICK!

Another exciting opportunity meeting an amazing Irish Australian author Brigid Carrick, a trained midwife and teacher who migrated to Australia in 1969 and has written numerous short stories and now a debut novel “The Belfast Express: When Her Only Choice is to Break the Rules”.

This historical fiction set in 1970s Dublin explored the challenges faced by young women heavily influenced by the Catholic Church and the Irish Government at the time.

Reflections from English Teacher Mrs Morey (also in the photo):

Brigid Carrick is a quietly spoken woman with a soft Irish accent. Her experiences as a successful short story writer have led to her recently published first novel, “The Belfast Express”.

Speaking to a small audience at the Kingston Writers’ Centre in April, Brigid recounted her experiences as a young nursing student in 1970s Dublin as this forms the social context for her novel, confronting poverty and deprivation of slum tenements to the practices in a private women’s clinic, the struggle for personal respect, independence and initiative for change. The challenges the main character, Brianna, faces are supported by her loyal friends and their small-scale protest on a train trip to Belfast escalates in some unexpected ways.

In the course of this session, Brigid also shared her advice for new writers: “You must start at the most important part of the story, otherwise there is a risk the author will get three quarters of the way through the story and become uncertain about how to finish – the structure of the story is really important.” She also mentioned the importance of having a professional editor apply their detailed proof-reading skills to correct a manuscript. “An editor will not just correct your grammar and sentence structure; they will also recommend that you clarify and re-write parts so that ‘the average reader’ will gain clear understanding of your work.”

Brigid had insights to share about her experiences of publishing too. She suggested that new writers join a Writers’ Group. The group meets to share their writing and give honest and always respectful feedback while the leader provides guidance for the discussion. Later the search for a publisher can be testing – Brigid describing it as a form of ‘publisher speed dating ‘where publishers set specific dates and times to open their appeals for submission of manuscripts. At least three chapters are required if a novel is being submitted. Publishers also have a specific genre they publish (for example, romance, history, sport, horror, fantasy) and writers need to target the right publisher for their work.

THE VICTORIAN PREMIERS’ READING CHALLENGE

If you have not registered for the Reading Challenge, please come to the Library for your login details or email the Librarian:

maria.smith@education.vic.gov.au

We still have five months to complete the Challenge, the winter months are coming, and it is the perfect time to snuggle up with a good book! For more info, please visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-reading-challenge with Victorian Premier’s message https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-opening-message-2026

AMAZING BOOK REVIEWS from our VPRC participants who turn into prospective writers sharing reflections and multi-dimensional perspectives on the books they just read. What a creative way of demonstrating one of our school values - EXCELLENCE!

Girl detective by Spratt, R. ★★★★

I would give this novel four stars because it is interesting and mysterious, and once you keep on reading it, the scenes of the story get interesting. I also like the book because once you read it you want to know what is going to happen next. My favourite was her solving the mystery for her uncle. (Kyra P. 7B)

The vanishing trick / Jenni Spangler; illustrated by Chris Mould★★★★

The Vanishing Trick by Jenni Spangler was a book like no other, with a unique story board and magic in the most unlikely places this book was definitely worth the read, as you learn about friendship and magic in all the right places. (Maya P. 8H)

Dead Poets Society: a novelby Kleinbaum N.H. ★★★

This is perhaps the first book where I believe the movie is better. The only thing admirable about this book was Todd's character development. If you feel like torturing yourself, go ahead. Read the book. If you don't feel like wasting your time, watch the movie. (Golnaz S. 9H)

Felix ever after by Callender, K. ★★★★★

Oh wow. Oh wow, wow, wow. This is perhaps one of the best novels I've ever read. The characters were so well developed that I (quite literally) felt their joys and their pain. Each chapter was a delight to read. I thoroughly enjoyed the very satisfying ending. I highly recommend! (Golnaz S. 9H)

The carnivorous carnival by Snicket, L. ★★★★★

This book was an excellent sequel to the previous one! I got a lot of answers to some long-lasting questions, and we got to meet some new, interesting characters. The events in this book affected the story and the series the most in quite some time and started to obviously show the character development and dire situations of the Baudelaire orphans. As the series ending gets closer, the author still manages to create more questions while still giving answers! (Livia F. 7G)

Wings of fire: the winglets quartet: the first four stories by Sutherland, T.

★★★★★This book gave a lot of detail to the other parts of the Wings of Fire series that didn't get too much explanation and opened to new perspectives from different dragons! This was an amazing short story book that revisited the series, and I had a lot of fun reading it! It gave more depth to the more minor but interesting characters and uncovered their backstories and past! (Livia F. 7G)

Night of the living dummy 2 by Stine, R. L.★★★

Wonderful return from Slappy in the second volume of 'Night of the Living Dummy' trilogy in the Goosebumps franchise. (Alexandra D. 9F)

Hairy Maclary favourites by Dodd, L.★★★

Wonderful story that instantly puts smiles on faces with wonderful rhymes about Hairy Maclary and his friends. (Alexandra D. 9F)

The silent patient by Michaelidis, A. ★★★★★

This book was a great psychological thriller and really plays with the character's state of mind. It manipulates readers to question innocence while concealing the hidden antagonist. I love how the storyline builds up to the plot twist which apathetically shatters you. Definingly would recommend to those who are into dark, twisty and manipulative psychological thrillers. (Saanvi V. 9B)

2026 CBCA NOTABLES BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS

This year, the Children’s Book Council of Australia proudly marks the 80th year of the Book of the Year Awards that “recognized (since 1946) the incredible talent and imagination that fuel the books our young readers cherish, and the creators who continue to shape our understanding of childhood, curiosity and compassion through story”. For the full CBCA 2026 Shortlist, please visit https://cbca.org.au/2026-notables/#

WRITING COMPETITIONS FOR BUDDING WRITERS! Let us connect and inspire!

VATE (Victorian Association for the Teaching of English) invites high school students and teachers across Victoria to share their stories and be included in the human (Being) anthology celebrating queer voices, experiences and creativity.

SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN for short stories, poems, personal pieces lists, letters, comics and illustrations. There’s no ‘right’ way to write. Please access https://www.vate.org.au/human-being

The annual Insight Creative Writing Competition is now open and free for all high school students, aiming to ignite a passion for creative writing and inspire the voices of the future. Enter the competition and share the chance of winning over $3000 worth of cash prizes.

This year’s optional theme: IGNITE Entries Open: 20/03/2026 and close on 01/09/2026.

For more information, please access https://www.insightpublications.com.au/insight-creative-writing-competition/

MEET THESE AUTHORS FOR FREE!

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, Webb took interest in suburban cold cases and wrote several books on true crime and real people’s stories, author of “Murder in the Suburbs”.

NEVER TOO LATE TO EXPLORE THE MAJESTIC AND HISTORIC STATE LIBRARY!

There is so much to enjoy at the State Library Victoria, please visit the link to explore all these opportunities: https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/history-library-tour

Some school holiday pictures while connecting with SLV Librarians and exploring how they engage and deal with patrons, display resources, create impactful activities, among others.

Did you know that there is also a FREE ONLINE exhibition “Mouthful of Dust” that can take you to an impressive journey into the heart of the notorious Australian outlaw Ned Kelly. Blending history, art and technology, this experience is a fascinating digital experience for the 21st century!

https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/mouthful-dust-ned-kelly-web-experience

A SPECIAL MOTHERS’ DAY WEEKEND WITH THE ROYAL EXHIBITION BUILDING OPEN DAY!

Since 1880, this iconic building has been at the heart of Melbourne history. On May 9-10 (12 noon – 5:00 PM) the Royal Exhibition Building will open to the public for families to share a ‘weekend of history’ and fun activities including tours, exhibitions, performances, food trucks. Please click the link for more info:

https://museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/whats-on/royal-exhibition-building-open-day/

WISHING ALL OUR MOTHERS, GRANDMOTHERS AND MOTHER FIGURES A HAPPY AND MEANINGFUL MOTHERS’ DAY!

Space-X-plore Tour USA