21st Century
Learning Space
Library News
We still have a lot of students who have not returned their library books. Please do your best to locate them and return them to school. If they have been lost or misplaced, please write a quick note or come and see me about them. Many students told me that they have them at home and will bring them back. All school books can be placed in the ‘Book Returns’ trolley in the 21st Century Learning Space – thank you.
LIBRARY LOVERS DAY
February 14th is not only Valentine’s Day it is also Library Lovers Day. It is a celebration of the joy of reading and the important role that libraries play in fostering a love of literature. The State Library of NSW started celebrating Library Lovers Day back in 2006 and the day has grown to become a world-wide event. There have been some fabulous events and initiatives to help bring libraries into our focus. From author talks, community book sales, interesting displays highlighting our favourite childhood books and many other events that bring people into the library to discover something new.
I encourage everyone to think, discuss and share your favourite books from the library. Don’t keep the books to yourself – read and enjoy them with your family and friends. If you haven’t found a book you love yet, I challenge you to visit a library and find something that interests you. When you step into a library you never know what you will find. And in the words of Albert Einstein “The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.” Enjoy Library Lovers Day every day!
AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN’S LAUREATTE
In the wonderful world of Children’s literature it was great to discover that The Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation (ACLF) has just announced Sally Rippin as the next Australian Children’s Laureate for 2024 - 2025. The chosen Laureate must have made a significant contribution to children’s literature over the years and Sally Rippin has definitely done that. Sally is Australia’s highest selling female author and has written over one hundred books. Sally has written some fabulous book series such as the Polly and Buster trilogy (one of my favourites), the Hey Jack series, The School of Monsters series (great for beginner readers), Billie B. Brown series, Super Mooper Series, Our Australian Girl series, Billie Mysteries, and Billie Adventures.
She has also written other children’s novels such as Angel Creek, Just One Wish, Go Girl – Twin Trouble, My Best Friend is a Vampire, Twin Trouble, What a Mess, Fang Fang!, and some picture books such as The Longest Noodle Ever, A Baby Brother for Little Bean, Fang Fang’s Chinese New Year and Speak Chinese Fang Fang to name a few. Many of her books have also won awards.
Each two year tenure has its own theme and Sally’s is “All Kids can be Readers!” She said that "My hope as Laureate is to ensure that all children can be supported to access reading in the way that suits them most."
Many countries around the world select a Children’s Laureate. Australia’s previous Laureates were Alison Lester and Boori Monty Pryor (2012-2013), Jackie French (2014-2015), Leigh Hobbs (2016-2017), Morris Glietzman (2018-2019), Ursula Dubosarsky (2020-2021) and Gabrielle Wang (2022-2023). All of these authors have made outstanding contributions to Australian literature and I look forward to seeing how Sally Rippin travels the country promoting children’s literature and engages children in the reading process because yes “all kids can be readers!”
If you would like to learn more try Sally Rippon’s website at https://www.sallyrippin.com/ or the Australian Children’s Laureate website at https://www.childrenslaureate.org.au/
Jackie Hicks
21st Century Learning Space Manager
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 8.30-3.30pm; Thursday and Friday 1.30 - 3.30pm
or email: www.rowville.ps@education.vic.gov.au