21st Century 

Learning Space

Library News

OVERDUE LIBRARY BOOKS

As previously advised all library books, readers and novels from class sets borrowed from the main library and classroom libraries are now due back to school. Everyone can login to the Oliver V5 Library Operating System through Compass to check your list of overdue books. Teachers have also been given 'Overdue lists' for the students in their class.

Thank you to the students who have returned their books already however there are still some missing. Could all students please have a look at home and return your books as soon as possible. If you do not find them, keep looking over the holidays! I will follow up student overdue books in Term 1 2024. 

If you have any enquiries about the books you have on loan please come and see me or email so that we can sort it out as soon as possible. Thank you.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS BOOKS 

There are lots of Christmas books with wonderful heartfelt messages in them. My favourites include ones with humour, some with lessons on the value of giving and ones that are sentimental to me. So here are my top picks for Christmas! 

Pig the Elf by Aaron Blabey

Pig the Pug thinks Santa will give him everything he wants no matter how silly or outrageous it is. Pig is the world’s greediest Pug who will stay up all night to get his presents! There are lessons to be learnt here and Pig should know better. Our students love reading this book especially the part where Santa is chased up the chimney! Cheeky, fun, thoughtful and a lovely message about what is truly important at Christmas time.

The Smallest Gift of Christmas by Peter H. Reynolds

Roland was excited about Christmas but when he raced downstairs he found a very small gift under the Christmas tree. He decided then and there that he wanted something bigger! And bigger! And bigger! His travels take him far from home in his search for that big present but then realisation hits! The biggest gift of all is waiting for him at home!

The Night Before Christmas – this book became part of our family Christmas rituals. I have very fond memories of reading The Night Before Christmas to my children every Christmas Eve until they were too old to sit still!  “It was the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a mouse . . .”  Full of wonder and joy. 

Books can bring us together to create wonderful memories. I hope you enjoy some fantastic stories with your families at this special time of year.

VICTORIAN PREMIERS’ READING CHALLENGE

The Certificates for this year’s Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge have been distributed this week. Once again well done to everyone who completed the Reading Challenge.

THANK YOU 

Thank you to Ms. Hayes for donating a stack of books to the school. We now have extra Rainbow Magic books and some wonderful highly popular picture books that I am sure will be enjoyed by our students. Thank you also to the Luna Family for your book donations. Every donation is appreciated and adds variety to our classroom libraries so that students can choose the books they would like to read. Thank you very much.

I encourage everyone to enjoy a good book over the holidays. There are millions of things to read or re-read and during the school holidays it’s a great time to refresh, put your feet up and relax with stories of every kind. 

A quote from Roald Dahl’s book The BFG says . . . “I is reading it hundreds of times,' the BFG said 'and I is still reading it and teaching new words to myself and how to write them. It is the most scrumdiddlyumptious story.' Sophie took the book out of his hand. 'Nicholas Nickleby,' she read aloud. 'By Dahl's Chickens,' the BFG said.

So whether you are exploring the classics, reading some nonsense from Dahl’s Chickens, going on adventures, using your imagination to battle pirates or dance with fairies, researching fast cars or learning about another country I’m sure you can find something that interests you. Keep trying, keep learning and most of all enjoy the process.

I look forward to seeing everyone again in 2024, working with our wonderful staff and being part of your reading journeys. Best wishes for the holidays, take care and keep reading!  

Jackie Hicks

21st Century Learning Space Manager