Library

Reading for Pleasure is Magic!

With Book Week happening in the next few weeks, I thought it was a good opportunity to talk about Reading for Pleasure.  Numerous studies and articles emphasize the importance of young people reading for pleasure.  The consistent finding from these studies is that reading for pleasure is a crucial habit for our young people to develop.  Not only does it improve their vocabulary and language skills, but it also fosters a love for learning and a sense of wonder about the world.  In today's busy times, everyone seeks ways to escape the pressures of the world for just 30 minutes, and reading allows young people to do just that.  Engaging in reading for pleasure is an excellent way for teenagers to de-stress and unwind, especially during challenging periods such as exams or social pressures.

Moreover, reading for pleasure can also help young people develop a greater sense of empathy, enabling them to better understand and connect with others.  By promoting the habit of reading for pleasure, teenagers can experience a positive impact on both their academic and personal lives.

Here in the Library, we are dedicated to nurturing a love of reading in teenagers.  We believe that reading as previously mentioned is not only a crucial educational tool but also a wonderful way to relax and explore new worlds.  This is why we take pride in organising a diverse range of engaging activities and events in our library specifically designed to inspire young people to read more.  Our commitment is to create a warm and welcoming environment that encourages a lifelong passion for reading.

You too can create a reading-for-pleasure environment in your home by ...

• Model reading - read and show an interest in reading.
• Find out what your young person likes to read.
• Talk about books at home, talk about what you're reading and why you like it
• Allow and encourage an aesthetic response- love characters, loathe characters, give up on books halfway through, re-read favorite books.  
• Put time aside at home for reading books for pleasure.

Many of our students must already be experiencing the above recommendations in their lives because the passion for reading displayed by Sandringham College students is unmistakable. Their high rate of book borrowing and enthusiastic engagement in library activities speak volumes. This thriving culture of reading is made possible by the unwavering support of the school community, comprising both parents and staff as well as the 7 and 8 reading program.

I have attached a link to an article written about Reading for Pleasure.

Kiwi kids who read for pleasure will do well in other ways – it’s everyone’s responsibility to encourage them (theconversation.com)

Top 5 Readers and the last book they borrowed (in no particular order)

• Sienna Maguire Yr9 - Once upon a broken heart by Stephanie Garber
• Araba Quarm Yr7 - Summer Change by Melissa Wray
• Maoz Segal Yr7 - Play the game by Nova Weetman
• Zoe Gershman Yr7 - Breaking Pointe by Chanee Marrapodi
• Sophie Jones Yr7 - Arkane by Lynette Noni

It has been a busy start to Term 3.  

• A new club commenced on the 7-9 Campus - A Book Tracker Journaling Club. Students meet once a week to create and work on their journals, they write about the books they have read and books on their wish list.  It has proven to be a social club with lots of discussion around the Makerspace table.  This club meets every Friday during lunchtime.
• The informal chess club has started back again.  This will be held every Tuesday during lunchtime.  Students can come to the library and play against whoever turns up.  This is a great way for students across all levels to socialise over a game of chess.
• A more formal Chess club is offered for students in Years 7-12 in the Holloway Road Library every Tuesday after school.

There is always something to do in the Makerspace area.  Items will always be put out at Bluff Road during lunchtime for students to create.  

Holloway Road Library has a creative paint area and a table for coloring in to relieve stress.

Australian School Library Day

21st August 2024

With book week comes Australian School Library Day a day set aside to celebrate and highlight the wonderful variety of things that your school library staff do - especially those things that may normally be ‘hidden’ from view but are so essential to the far-reaching web of impact that the school library has in your school. 

The Sandringham College Library is an invaluable resource for students and a great place for students to explore their interests. Library staff work hard to provide students with the resources they need to further their education and knowledge. They offer a wide variety of books, journals, magazines, and other materials to help students learn and grow. Library staff also provide guidance and assistance to help students find the right materials for their research and projects. Library staff have created a comfortable and welcoming environment for students to enjoy reading, studying, and exploring. Library staff also plan and host events to enrich the learning experience for students such as book clubs and other interactive activities. Library staff are always available to help and ensure that the library remains an exciting and stimulating place to learn.

Access and Operating hours

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

Library operating hours for both campus Libraries

8am to 4.30pm Monday to Thursday 

8am to 3.30pm Friday