Library News
Book Week bonanza
It has been a busy and exciting term in the library! We celebrated Book Week in August with a new twist on our always-popular Book Week Quiz. This year I challenged students to decode emoji book titles for the chance to win chocolate. There was one question - number 20 - that had our students stumped. Kudos to the five who correctly identified the clue as Louisa May Alcott's classic tale, Little Women. Sorry to those who guessed Twelve Dancing Princesses or - ahem - Dancing with the Stars! You can see the clues - and the rest of the answers - in the photo above.
Students also got creative with a blackout poetry activity, turning pages from damaged library books into original pieces of word art. Shout-outs to Year 8 students Victoria, Lucy and Liv for their impressive poems. These three all won a library prize for their efforts.
Our library space also hosted activities organised by the Literary Leaders, including bookmark making and the annual charity book swap. You can read more about those on the Preston Life page of this newsletter.
Finally, Book Week meant giving a special library nod to the Children's Book Council of Australia's annual Book of the Year awards. All the 2025 short-listed books in the YA category were on display here in the library for our students to borrow and read, alongside a Hall of Fame comprising previous Book of the Year winners in our collection.
Books just in ...
The shelves are stacked with a big swag of new books. Highlights include Main Character Energy by First Nations woman Bianca Hunt, a fun and inspiring guide to living boldly and stepping into the spotlight of your own story.
For students considering a career in law, Jahan Kalantar’s Talk Your Way Out of Trouble is a must-read, stacked with hilarious tales of how he pivoted from the post-uni world of finance to become a young criminal lawyer on the mean streets of Sydney.
There’s also plenty of gripping fiction to discover, like Wicked Darlings by Jordyn Taylor, Danger Road by A. L. Tait, and This Dream Will Devour Us by Emma Clancy, alongside non-fiction gems such as Fire Up! by Ned Brockmann and Flight: The Complete History of Aviation by R. G. Grant. And motor-racing fans will be in a spin with the new bio about F1 legend Lewis Hamilton, even if his car is slower these days.
You can check out all these books and more via the online library catalogue. Or come browse the New Books display stand in the library.
Read a book, review a book, get a lollipop!
Our student reading community continues to thrive, with more than 35 book reviews submitted this term. That's a lot of library lollipops handed out to our kids! These reviews don't just earn the writer a sweet treat, they also go on display in the library (or online if submitted via our catalogue) to help other students decide what to read next.
R U OK day is coming
R U OK? Day on September 11 is about reminding us to check in on each other and start conversations that could make a real difference.
It’s about taking the time to notice if someone around you - your friend, classmate, teacher, or family member - seems a little off. You don’t need to be an expert; you just need to be a good listener. A caring conversation, started with the question “Are you okay?”, can help someone feel supported and less alone.
In the library, we’re making a giant R U OK? mural to mark the day and encourage our students to look out for each other. This is especially important for our senior students who may be feeling the pressure of looming end-of-year exams.
The mural invites students to post their answer to a simple question: 'what helps you feel ok on a bad day"? As a librarian, I was chuffed to see "read a book" came up again and again. Alongside the mural is a display of resources about mental health, wellbeing and kindness. Everyone is encouraged to stop by, browse, and take a moment to reflect on the importance of reaching out and being kind.
Remember, a small conversation can change a life.
A reminder to return books on time
Our students have borrowed more than 440 books from the library so far this term. Incredible! The flipside to all this reading is that sometimes books don't always make it back on time. Students can borrow two books for two weeks. If they need more time, they are able to come past the library desk or send a message to extend the loan.
Our system sends out automatic email reminders to students when books are overdue, and I visit students in class when books are more than two weeks late to deliver an in-person reminder. But sometimes this still doesn't work and that's when help from our families is crucial.
When books are very overdue, they are presumed lost and a bill is sent home to cover the cost of replacing the book. Before this happens, I contact the family via Compass to ask for help in finding the book. If you get an email, please encourage your child to locate and, where possible, return the book. This is always our preferred option. All students can see which books they have on loan and when they are due via the library catalogue, which is accessed through Compass. In my experience, a word from Mum or Dad can work wonders in helping those 'lost' books find their way back so that other students can enjoy them.
Lost property in the library
From lost books to lost property ... did you know the library has a small lost property collection? Right now it's bursting with calculators, charging cords, pencil cases, earrings and even a pair of spectacles. All these items were left in or around the library.
If your child comes home to report they have lost something, it's worth reminding them to come check the library. And always label things with names where possible to increase the chance of property finding its way home.
Nikki Protyniak
Library Manager