Maria SMITH

Head of Library

WELCOME TO HIGHVALE LIBRARY!

Welcome to another school year that the Library Team envisions with positivity and optimism for our Students, Staff and Leadership Team, and the whole Highvale Community.

Our HSC Library will continue to provide a safe and caring learning environment for our students while supporting them not only academically but also in ways that can contribute to their mental health and wellbeing.

The annual school council-approved, Library-managed Book Hire Program is officially finished. We would like to acknowledge with gratitude those who have extended much-needed support during this hectic period, with special mention to ES Staff Deb Le Sordo, Jenny Lim, Janet Morrison, Donna Puls and Vijaya Sanga for making it all happen smoothly.

THE LIBRARY TIMETABLE

Before School

Library opens at 8:00 am

Recess

Closed at Recess except for borrowing

Lunchtime starts from 1:25pm to 1:55 pm

Students are to wait outside for the Yard Duty Teacher to arrive.

No loitering/eating in the Library/Foyer.

Students expected to respect everyone’s right to learn in a quiet learning space.

No running/talking loudly.

No video games allowed.

Monday-Thursday

Private Study in a quiet zone

Wednesday

Silent Reading Club-Private Study

Friday

Fun activities such as scrabble, jigsaw puzzle and card games

Kahoot Fridays every fortnight

After School

Students supervised from 3-4 pm

English Homework Club at H14

Maths Homework Club at S3

YEAR 7 LIBRARY INFORMATION SESSION

The Library Information sessions have begun for Year 7 students, providing them with the chance to familiarize themselves with the Highvale Library. During these sessions, students learn about borrowing times, the number of books they can borrow, due dates, printing and photocopying services, lunchtime private study sessions, and fun activities. Additionally, students are encouraged to join the Highvale Writers Club to inspire their peers.

Congratulations to our new Library Monitors for 2025!

Calista D., Sai G., Janet H., Sara K., Victoria L., Angela L., Priya P., Alyssa P., Niya R., Senuli T., Amelia W., Jonelle W., Sally Y. and Andrea Z. Be amazed why they want to volunteer in our Library and find out what they have suggested to improve our Highvale SC Library!

Sai Gawali

I have always loved to read and be around books. Books are a getaway and gateway to heaven. I also immensely enjoy organising things such as shelving books… Some games played and enjoyed in silence, chess and Pictionary, can be added weekly. Book exhibitions according to genre and themes can attract readers and increase interaction in the Library. Suggestions sheets kept open for foreign language fiction books, especially those taught at school, to help students get a better understanding of the language.

Sara Kee

I think being a Library Monitor can teach me new skills and help me communicate more with people… Ideas I have for the Library include arranged book swaps or a book recommendations board where anyone can put up recommendations for others. This will pique many bookworms’ interests, including introverts whose interests are less explored.

Victoria Lai

I love books and reading, and being a Library monitor wold allow me to share that passion with others as well as helping them to discover new books that they might enjoy. We can create a feedback/suggestion box or online survey where students can share their ideas on books, activities and resources they would like to see.

Angela Luo

As a Library monitor not only would I be able to organise the bookshelves but also promote books and encourage/help others on what book they would enjoy. To make the Library better, we can organise more lunchtime activities and even start a book club to make our Library more lively… and new books on top of the book Wishlist be bought and announced.

Alyssa Phung

To make the Library better, there could be a small table with stationery and paper to design your own fun bookmarks during lunch… every few months there could be a ‘Catalogue Challenge’ where students complete a checklist of different categories of books. To complete the checklist, you would need to read a book from that type of genre then write a review. The students completing the checklist could get an award or a new award-winning book.

Niya Roby

I come to the Library almost every lunchtime as it is basically my second home. We can have more fundraisers to help get more books, and have quizzes in the Library on specific days of the week.

Senuli Tennakoon

I would like to help with organising books and making sure the Library is a safe and happy place for everyone. Book sales and fundraising for more books, and having more books in the Library chosen by students.

Amelia Wong

At lunch, make notices to minimise students entering the Library to give others a quiet place to study. We can also have a Book Club where students can share the books they are currently reading and provide recommendations.

Jonelle Wong

I would like to be a Library Monitor because it would be a good learning opportunity not just organising books but figuring how the Library system works as I hope to actually volunteer at a public library one day. More lunchtime activities or active competitions (like drawing competitions/reading) and a book-recommending program or something other than that.

Sally Yun

I love books and would like to assist in maintaining a neat and organised Library space for everyone… Some activities, ideas and skills that I could suggest is a book recommendations board where students can share their favourite books.

Andrea Zhao

I have read many books, and I hope to read more. I am a friendly student who is always happy to help… I can help others to find books they enjoy along with giving out recommendations… I would like to have a small noticeboard that lists up and coming special days from books, for example the 7th of September known as New Day to Maze Runner fans.

COME AND TRY OUR FEBRUARY BOOK ARRIVALS!

Into the Wild by Hayley Lawrence (Secondary Fiction Book of the Month)

Five teens (Silas, Ted, Birdie, Olive and Knox) from the same school set out into the Blue Mountains, determined to win a survival competition that will get them to the base camp of Mt Everest. This is an amazing survival story that will appeal to teenagers aged 13-16 years, demonstrating how people can challenge themselves, how they react in different situations, and how tragedy can form lifelong bonds. Highly recommended!

Popcorn by Rob Harrell (Lower Secondary Fiction)

A wonderful story of a boy named Andrew who lives with his mother and grandmother who has Alzheimer’s disease. Andrew suffers from anxiety and OCD that he tries to keep hidden from everyone else. A fantastic book with lots of coping strategies throughout the book and touching on the importance of family and friends. A story of humour and compassion!

Save Our Forest by Nora Dasnes (Secondary Graphic Novel)

A graphic novel about Bao who bands together with her friends to stop their beloved forest turned into a carpark. This book contains an important message of preserving our wild habitats to benefit humankind. This novel is a sequel to the acclaimed Cross My Heart and Never Lie.

Secondary/Lower Secondary/Graphic Novels Highlights

THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO AT HIGHVALE LIBRARY:

The Highvale Writers Club accepts contributions for poetry, short stories, personal reflections, visual arts among other forms of creative expression.

The Bookworms’ Book Reviews and Recommendations encourages students to submit reviews of novels they have read and want to recommend to other students to read.

The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge in April until October encouraging students to register and meet the challenge of reading at least 15 books and register these online to join other students across Victoria. Those who complete the Challenge receive an acknowledgment letter signed by the current Premier of Victoria.

The Literacy/Numeracy/Book Week Celebration in August-September encourages students to participate in week-long literacy and numeracy activities at lunchtime in the library, including a Dress-Up in book characters to raise money for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation the school has been supporting for many years.

CONNECTING OUR HIGHVALE FAMILY TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY

Why not visit the State of Library of Victoria website and find out what our Melbourne icon has to offer in terms of free and online family and community events and activities, tours and exhibitions, and authors’ presentations and fellowships, family histories and story time sessions. https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/

What’s On in Melbourne!

Please access the link below for the best free festivals, paintings exhibitions, theatre and other film events, shopping guides, garden, gallery and museum tours, dining and catch-up venues, among other things to enjoy in our wonderful city of Melbourne!

https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/things-to-do?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6sCu2MPOiwMVDKpmAh1hmhBgEAAYASAAEgJV8vD_BwE

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