Maria SMITH

Librarian

Welcome to 2024 and wishing our Staff, Students and the whole Highvale Community a positive and prosperous start to the school year!

THE HSC LIBRARY AS A LEARNING AND CULTURAL HUB

Welcome to a special place for our students to continue learning beyond the classroom while connecting with others. Our Library is also a caring, safe and supportive space where everyone belongs.

At Lunchtime, students are welcome to join the Wednesday SILENT READING CLUB. Just come and read a book in complete but recreational silence.

From Monday to Thursday, PRIVATE STUDY sessions offer students opportunities to catch up with schoolwork.

FUN FRIDAY is an ideal time for students to unwind while playing chess, UNO and other card games.

OTHER INVITATIONS TO LOOK FORWARD TO:

Highvale Writers’ Club poetry/short story contributions
Book Reviews submissions
Bookworm/Booklovers reflections
Victorian Premier Reading Challenge participation (from Year 7-9)

BOOK HIRE UPDATE

Following our hectic start to the year, the Library Team is now nearing the completion of the annual College Council-approved HSC Book Hire Program that aims to reduce the cost of obtaining required textbooks including VCE resources all aligned with current VCAA Study Designs.

Some important reminders for our students to demonstrate responsibility regarding hired books:

Do not write on your textbooks except on the front Book Hire page.
Be respectful of yours and other students’ books and belongings.
Return any lost-found textbooks/novels to the Library.
Give damaged books to the Librarians for immediate/possible repairs.
Appropriate penalties apply for lost and significantly damaged textbooks

LIBRARY MONITORS

Please welcome and congratulate our excellent line-up of Library Monitors for 2024, in alphabetical order: Calista D., Freya H., Janet H., Aleena J., Sheena L., Victoria L., Priya P., Xinyi S., Thinuli T. Caitlyn Y. and Benson Z. Please enjoy excerpts of their inspiring ideas and suggestions:

“I love being in the Library, reading and interacting with other people, and I feel (being a Library Monitor) is a great way to extend that.” (Freya H.)

“I want to help out in the Library, I am a fast worker and I work well with other people. I would suggest a new system in shelving books.” (Calista D.)

“I like reading books and often help out in the Library after school. For me, sorting books is a therapeutic activity.” (Victoria L.)

“I would like to continue being a Library Monitor to spend more time in the Library space and read a lot more books … I want to decorate the Library for Christmas and other special occasions, and host fun games every week.” (Thinuli T.)

“I would bring good organisational skills (sorting our books, being on time); communication skills (talking and helping with teachers and students); creative skills (to think of ideas to improve the Library and allow students to engage well in reading and coming to the Library).” (Sheena L.)

“I would like to be a Library Monitor to explore my interests in reading while working and organising books… We could host more activities and (have) better book return systems so books don’t go missing or (get) forgotten.” (Janet H.)

“I would like to help put away or loan out books. My qualities include being consistent, helpful, coming on time, responsible and friendly. I could suggest playing Trivia games.” (Xinyi S.)

“I would love to continue my role as Library Monitor in 2024. Holding more raffles, Spelling Bees and Kahoot quizzes will make students more excited about coming to the Library.” (Priya P.)

“I wish to contribute to the operations of the Library as a special place for the whole school community to give kindness back to the people here… Student-led study groups would encourage students to seek for help after class … the Library can be a place to gather and discuss.” (Benson Z.)

“Being a Library Monitor is not just a responsibility but also an opportunity to contribute to the effective functioning of the Library and to foster a sense of community among my fellow students… (Aleena J.)

CONNECTING HSC WITH THE WIDER COMMUNITY

Great news for our Highvale families wanting to enjoy the upcoming weekend. Please check out What’s On City of Melbourne! Among the major festivals:

CHINESE LUNAR YEAR DRAGON FESTIVAL

Melbournechinatown@gmail.com

Contact 0431 475 588

11th February from 10am to 9 pm

CYSM Lion Dance Performance: 10.00am

Opening Ceremony: 11.00am

Dai Loong Dragon Parade (Departing from Main Stage): 12:15pm

Cultural Performances (Main Stage): 12:30pm onwards

CMS Lion & Dragon Dance: 3:00pm

Dragon Statue/Wishing Well/Market Stalls: all day

FILIPINO UBE FESTIVAL AT QV MARKET

Filipino Festival on 11th February 10am to 8 pm

Indulge on all Filipino delicacies made from ube (bright purple yam), a root crop indigenous to the Philippines.

Experience the vibrant culture with music and dance performances including the Ati Atihan, African drumming, a classical harpist and community choir; and a Multicultural Parade featuring Filipino, European, Asian, Pacific Islands, African and Australian groups, celebrating the theme We Were All Migrants Once.

Homework Club