Library

First Nations Collection Own Voice

As the nation heads into NAIDOC week, celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, I thought it was a great opportunity to promote the First Nations Own Voice collection.  The collection is housed in both libraries and features fiction, non-fiction, poetry, biography and even recipe books, all written by First Nation authors.  This vibrant collection offers students and staff a rich and authentic window into the lived experiences, stories and perspectives of Australia's First Nations peoples.  Every title has been carefully curated to ensure it represents the voices and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The Own Voice Collection is a vital educational resource, ensuring that students learn directly from the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  It not only deepens their understanding of Australia's cultural heritage but also fosters empathy, respect and inclusivity.  With contemporary and relevant titles, the collection helps promote a more accurate and respectful representation of First Nations experiences, making it an invaluable part of the school's commitment to a diverse and inclusive learning environment.

As part of our commitment to cultural respect and accessibility, we are currently updating the library catalogue to include the land the First Nation author identifies with.  This enhancement will provide students with further cultural context and foster a deeper appreciation for the diversity within Australia's First Nations communities.  The Own Voice Collection is not only an educational resource but also a powerful tool in promoting inclusivity and respect for the diverse cultural landscape of our nation.

Kid's Lit Quiz

Our amazing Kids Lit Quiz Team recently had an unforgettable adventure representing Sandringham College on the national stage.  Bright and early at 7 am on a Sunday, four excited students, along with Vice Principal Michelle Lynch and I, met at Tullamarine Airport to fly to Sydney.  After touching down, we enjoyed a scenic brunch at Circular Quay and a relaxing ferry ride to Taronga Zoo.  By evening, our team was ready for an early dinner and an early night to prepare for the big competition.

On a foggy and fresh Monday morning, we made our way to Glebe Town Hall, where our team competed against 15 other schools from across Australia.  The girls were fantastic, holding their own in a tough field and finishing an impressive 6th place.  It was a true highlight to watch our students embrace the opportunity to showcase their superpower of reading.  Their teamwork, enthusiasm, and love for literature made us incredibly proud.

Congratulations, Carol, Evie, Fiona and Kaia

Book Tasting

The library has recently been hosting a Book Tasting event for students in years 7 and  8 Reading classes. Book tasting offers students the opportunity to explore a variety of genres in a relaxed and engaging environment.  Each session encourages students to select a book and go through a guided process - first examining the cover, then reading the blurb, and finally diving into the first chapter.  Students are asked to reflect on each of these elements individually, forming an opinion on how effectively the book grabs their interest.  They also complete a short written summary of the first chapter, building their comprehension and analytical skills in the process.

As part of this event, students are introduced to a To Be Read (TBR) List, where they can collect titles they'd like to read in Terms 3 and 4.  The goal is to expose students to genres and authors they might not normally choose, expanding their reading horizons.  The task has proven to be quite successful, with the majority of students adding at least one new title to their TBR list, often from genres they have never explored before.  The book tasting has not only encouraged thoughtful book selection but also sparked new enthusiasm for reading across the classes.

IDAHOBIT DAY

As part of IDAHOBIT week celebration, students in both campus libraries designed badges and cardboard t-shirts.  The designs are on display in the library.

Book Corner

Top 5 Readers and the last book they borrowed:

• Lila Billing (We Three Heroes by Lynette Noni)
• Sherry Yan (Demon Slayer Vol. 3 by Koyoharu Gotouge)
• Beau McBeath (Demon Slayer Vol. 9 by Koyoharu Gotouge)
• Lucas Bolanos-Bulla (Naruto Vol. 29 by Masashi Kishimoto)
• Daisy Gill (Unordinary by Uru-Chan)

Top 5 Books:

• Unordinary by Uru-Chan
• Aircraft of World War II by Robert Jackson
• Eragon by Christopher Paolini
• Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortiga
• Cat Body Language by Trevor Warner

To see the most popular books on each campus and the most recent books added to both libraries, head to the Sandringham College Library Website (scroll down to Book Corner).

Lunchtimes in the library

Access and Operating Hours

Students can access the Sandringham College Library Website 24/7.

Library operating hours for both campuses:

8 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Thursday 

8 am to 3.00 pm Friday