Library News
Mrs Cousens
Library Manager
CBCA Book Week – ‘Symphony of Stories’
Our College celebrated CBCA Book Week with staff and student dress-ups, badge-making, a Kahoot quiz, a book playlist competition, and an exciting cartoon workshop with Dean Rankine, renowned illustrator for The Simpsons and Futurama comics. It was wonderful to celebrate the theme, Symphony of Stories, in our newly renovated Resource Centre!
The celebrations continued with a Book Fair, where students were rewarded with free books generously donated to our school.
These wonderful activities are a true testament to the value our College places on reading, creativity, and fostering a lifelong love of books.
Book Week Book Playlist Winners
Our wonderful participants in the Book Week Playlist competition were rewarded with gifts, and the winner, Saliha N 12F, received the promised headphones and Book Week lanyard at the end of last term.
Book Playlist participants: Shogofa N12E, Saliha N 12F (winner), Shiren J 10H, Shahla J 9D, Shumaila I 9D (Literacy Leader!), and Asma R10H (absent for photo).
CBCA Shadow Judging Book Club
Our CBCA Shadow Judging Book Club members were awarded certificates and gifts at the end of last term for their commitment and creative responses to shadow judging the Younger Readers shortlist category. Cranbourne Secondary College Book Club creations have been submitted to the CBCA Shadow Judging site! Congratulations to Shahla J 9D, Shumaila I 9D, Emily C 7G, Christina D 7G, and Leah L 7G.
https://shadowjudging.cbca.org.au/2026-creative-response-gallery/
Craft ‘Wrap with Love’ Club – Friday lunchtime (Library)
We’ve done it! Our students have crocheted all 28 squares needed to create a blanket for Wrap with Love, which will be passed on to someone in need.
A special mention goes to Nathan U 8A, our top contributor, who can be found in the library most lunchtimes, working away on his crocheting. What wonderful dedication!
Now it’s time to add the borders and join our colourful squares together. If you know how to crochet and can lend a helping hand, we would greatly appreciate your support!
Our students are looking forward to a group photo holding up their finished blanket before it begins its journey to someone who needs a little extra warmth.
Year 7 to 9 YABBA Shortlist Voters
At the end of Term 3, Year 7 to 9 students were invited to vote for their favourite YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) shortlist book. This was a wonderful opportunity for young readers across Australia to have their voice heard.
Congratulations to Harini T 7C, and Shahla J 9D for winning the canteen vouchers for their votes!
“I nominated "Romeo v Juliet" because it is funny, entertaining, and keeps you interested throughout the story. I really enjoyed the characters and the way R.A. Spratt put a modern and humorous twist on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The story is exciting and has lots of unexpected moments that made me want to keep reading. I think it deserves to win because it is a fun book that is easy to enjoy”, Shahla Jaghori.
“Romeo v Juliet by R.A. Spratt - I pick this book because it's the more modern version of a classic, and I find it fascinating how time can change a book”, Harini T.
https://www.yabba.org.au/yabba-yearly-timeline
Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge Celebration
Huge congratulations to our amazing readers who collectively read over 600 books this year as part of the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge!
To celebrate this fantastic achievement, all participants have been invited to a special celebration in the Resource Centre at the start of Term 4.
Our winning readers will be announced on the day!
All participants will receive:
- Credits (House and individual)
- Certificates
- Bookmarks
- Book of their choice
We are looking forward to preparing a welcoming ‘book club’ setting with finger food, a book playlist, and book recommendation games for our awesome readers:
Christina D 7G, Leah L 7G, Tayeba R 8E, Japjot G 8G, Shanvi G 8M, Kai V 9C, Shumaila I 9D, Shahla J 9D, Insha R 9D, Shiren J 10H, Asma R 10H, Claire P 12B, Rhylee R 12C, Atlas P 12D, Shogofa N 12E, Saliha N 12F, and Ayesha R 12H.
Library Halloween Competition – Spookify a Book!
Students are invited to redesign a book they have read with a Halloween twist!
They need to include:
* a new spooky cover* a creepy new title* a mysterious new blurb
Submissions are due by Thursday, 29 October
Students will receive credits and spooky prizes for their creations!
Dymocks Library Regeneration Grant
We have successfully acquired a book grant from Dymocks Children’s Charities to the value of $15,000 as part of their Library Regeneration Program! Dymocks will be working with us this term on providing new library books (fiction and non-fiction) for our students to borrow. We have a very long list of student requests, so this shouldn’t be too difficult.
VHAP Term 3 Certificate Presentation
Our Term 3 Victorian High-Ability Program students were awarded certificates of participation and chocolates at the end of last term.
Congratulations to Belinda K 7E (English stream) and Tim S 7E (Maths stream) for their commitment to their online high-ability classes. They shared that they enjoyed the opportunity to stretch their minds and challenge themselves in their academic streams.
Shout Out Book of the Week:
The Broken Rainbow (Nerra: Deep Time Traveller) by Tasman Walton & Samantha Campbell
Ayesha R 12H
Summary of what the book is about: The story is about Nerra, a girl who travels through time. She goes on an adventure, faces danger, and learns about the past while trying to solve problems.
Why do you like the book? I like the book because it is exciting, has lots of adventure, and keeps me interested.
Who do you recommend the book to? I recommend this book to students and anyone who likes adventure, fantasy, and time travel stories.
How would you rate the book? 5 stars
Lionel Messi by Ivana Jancova
Shahla J 9D
Summary of what the book is about:
Lionel Messi is one of the greatest football players in the world. It begins with his childhood in Rosario, Argentina, where he loved playing football from a very young age. The book explains how he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency and how his family supported him through difficult times. It also describes how he moved to Spain to join FC Barcelona, where he trained hard, improved his skills, and became one of the best players in football history. The book highlights his achievements, records, awards, and the determination that helped him succeed.
Why do you like the book?
I like this book because it is inspiring and teaches that hard work, determination, and never giving up can help you achieve your goals.
Who do you recommend the book to?
I recommend this book to people who enjoy football, sports, and true stories about successful athletes, and to a soccer fan like me. It is also good for anyone who likes learning about famous people.
How would you rate the book? 5 stars
Movies: Better than the movies, book 1, and Nothing like the movies, book 2 by Lynn Painte
Leah L 7G
Summary of what the book is about:
Book 1 was really amazing and mind-blowing. Book 2 was still mind-blowing, but it was also sad, and it was good to see both sides of the story.
Why do you like the book?
The way the author wrote the book was so good, and it just made me want to read more and more. I was so team Liz and Wes. Amazing!
Who do you recommend the book to?
Teenagers maybe like 12 and up.
How would you rate the book? 5 stars (1000 out of 5)
Spirit of the Crocodile by Aaron Fa’aoso
Shahla J 9D
Summary of what the book is about:
Spirit of the Crocodile is an exciting adventure story set in the Torres Strait. It follows a young boy who discovers the importance of courage, family, culture, and respecting nature. Along the way, he learns valuable lessons while facing challenges connected to the powerful spirit of the crocodile.
Why do you like the book?
I like this book because it is exciting and teaches important lessons about bravery, culture, and respecting the environment. The story is interesting, and I enjoyed learning about Torres Strait Islander traditions.
Who do you recommend the book to?
I recommend this book to students who enjoy adventure stories and anyone who wants to learn more about Torres Strait Islander culture.
How would you rate the book? 4 stars
Students and staff are invited to submit a creative response on a book that deserves a big shout-out! You can choose a drawing, book review, video, or another creative response. We have an online form to assist you, and physical copies are available in the library. Your favourite book will then be promoted to the school community! Students will receive credits for their participation, and staff will receive their own shout-outs!