Library

Kerri Deegan - Head of Libraries

"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." Joseph Addison

Building Better Readers One Visit at a Time

Term 1 has been an exciting time in both libraries. The Bluff Road library has seen the introduction of a more structured library program, with students taking part in regular fortnightly sessions designed to build skills, confidence and a love of reading. This consistent approach allows students to engage more deeply with the library, combining explicit learning with time to explore, browse and borrow.

Our Year 7 and 8 students have taken part in introductory sessions to help them become confident library users. They have explored the new library homepage, learnt how to navigate the catalogue, and discovered how to access our extensive databases to support their learning. Students have also been introduced to different genres, helping them broaden their reading choices and discover new favorites. Each session includes time to browse and borrow.

Year 9 students have also begun their journey at the Holloway Road library, participating in an orientation session led by Teacher Librarian George Demetrios. Students were introduced to the new library homepage and the resources available to support their studies in this new setting.

To finish the term, students were introduced to an exciting new activity - The Sandringham College Reading Challenge, which will run through Terms 2 and 3. Students are invited to set their own reading goal by nominating how many books they believe they will read, with four levels to aim for:

Achieving - 3 Books
Superstar - 6 Books
Champion - 9 Books
Legend - 12+ Books

As students reach each milestone, they will receive a badge to celebrate their progress and commitment to reading.

Even better, staff have also been invited to join the challenge, helping to build a whole-school reading culture and model a love of reading to our students.

It has been fantastic to see our Year 7 students engaging so positively with the library, and to watch both Year 7s and Year 8s further develop a love of reading for pleasure.

Lunchtime in the Library

Both libraries remain vibrant and welcoming spaces at lunchtime, offering something for everyone. In the Bluff Road library, the Makerspace area has been popular, with a different creative activity running each week. From painting and watercolor pencils to hamma-bead creations and pom-pom creatures, students have embraced the opportunity to relax, create and express themselves in a hands-on way.

At the same time, the library remains an important, safe and inclusive space for students to recharge during the busy school day. The quiet bean bag area is consistently filled with students enjoying a good book, while the classroom space is buzzing with friendly competition and collaboration. Board and card games are popular, with Exploding Kittens and Four-Way Chess emerging as the favorites.

Our Holloway Road Library is equally vibrant, with students making the most of the dedicated Art corner and enjoying a safe, welcoming environment to relax, read, chat with friends and play board and card games.

It's great to see the library being used in so many different ways across both campuses. Both libraries continue to provide safe and welcoming spaces where students know they can come and relax and recharge after a busy morning of learning. Whether they are creating, reading, playing games or simply spending time with friends, it's clear that the library is a valued part of their day.

Harmony Week in the Library

Students were invited to celebrate their cultural history. Students drew the flag, said hello and wrote down the dish of their cultural history. Rachael (Ukraine) and Kavia (India) show the hands they created of their cultural history.

Library Lending is Thriving!

I have been blown away this term by the enthusiasm and strong engagement students have had with reading across the college this term, borrowing numbers are reflecting a growing enthusiasm for books.

Term 1 Borrowing Snapshot

Year 7: 892 loans
Year 8: 341 loans
Year 9: 156 loans
Years 10-12: 63 loans

Currently, we have 419 books on loan to students.

Top 5 student borrowers and the last book they borrowed (in no order)

Alex Leal (Year 7) - The Martian (Young reader edition) (Science fiction)
by Andy Weir
Rohan Crebbin (Year 7) - Eragon (Fantasy) by Christopher Paolini
Maya Perez Kessler (Year 7) - Slated (Dystopian) by Teri Terry
Amanda Abatemarco Catelli Gerger (Year 7) P.S I Still Love You (Romance) by Jenny Han
Kaira Aradhya (Year 7) - Play The Game (Romance) by Nova Weetman