LIBRARY

 "The library is not just full of books, but also opportunities."  

Abbey 2016 

BOOK WEEK - 19th to 23rd August 

BOOK FAIR - 20th to 22nd August

BOOK WEEK PARADE - Friday 23rd August

Friday 23rd August beginning at 2.15pm in the Holy Family Courtyard.  All parents are welcome. Students have the option to go home with parents after the parade or make their way home in the usual manner.

The theme is 

"READING IS MAGIC"

You may wish to start asking your child now for their ideas about the Book Week Parade—anything related to magic, a favourite author or book character.

This week I have been talking to the students about the activities and competitions leading up to and throughout Book Week. 

Calling all magicians, those who love to color, create a story, song rhyme or rap, or imagine and create a magical or mythical creature this BOOK WEEK is for you.

Town Library Class Visits

Next week classes will begin the visits to the Town Library as part of their reading journey Students will be exposed to all the library and art gallery have to offer. A special item is planned for the students in keeping with the Book Week theme "Reading is Magic".

Stay tuned next week for photos of the experience.

Parents, please check your Compass messages to provide consent, as without this, your child will be unable to attend the excursion. 

Visiting Author

This week Yr 4 welcomed author Jacqui Graham. Jacqui and her children, Emmett and Macy are a former family of St Nicholas School.

Jacqui introduced the students to her series "The Cotton Wood Adventures". The series is Australian and features adventures on the farm with horses. Jacqui's books will be available for purchase at the book fair. Next week Yr 3, 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to enjoy hearing about Jacqui's journey as an author.

PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE- 14 days to go

CONGRATULATIONSto the  295 students who have completed the Challenge so far.

The countdown is on for the completion of the Premier's Reading Challenge which ends on the 23rd August.

CBCA - SHADOW JUDGING

Team members - Photo next week.

Our entry is almost complete. We hope to share it with you next week.

A special thank you to Amy Rake from the Town Library for her mentorship of the group.

The exercise has proven interesting in allowing the team members to choose the book to study and analyse the features, text and illustrations, to determine how well the plot and characters come together. Much meaningful discussion has ensued from our regular meetings building on the already creative and critical thinking skills the team has displayed.

LIBRARY BAGS>>> NEW BOOKS

New books are arriving all the time. Please ensure your child has a library bag so they can enjoy these reads at their leisure at home.

AUTHOR PENPALS

Our author penpals continue to correspond with us and even send through a book or two.

This week Yr 6 heard from their author Jo Sandhu. Jo's newsletter is all about the behind the scenes of "book covers" either by using a traditional publisher or by an author self publishing. Jo has explained the process she undertook for her series "Tarin of the Mammoths". It's a wonderful opportunity for our students to touch base with a reallife author and gain an understanding of the book creating process once it is in the hands of the publisher.

WEEKLY LIBRARY TIMETABLE

MONDAY - Kindergarten, Yr 4

TUESDAY - Yr 2, Yr 5

WEDNESDAY - Yr 3

THURSDAY - Yr 1, Yr 6 

BOOK BUSTERS CLUB

Book Busters has resumed for the year.

BOOK BUSTERS CLUB is an optional early morning reading club for students who wish to come into the cool library before school to read.

CHOICE = Motivation 

"The strongest positive impact on reading engagement and learning gains come from student self-selection of reading materials. When reading materials are selected for students the links to engagement and learning gain decline significantly." 

How Reading Motivation and Engagement Enable Reading Achievement: Policy Implications, Ana Taboada Barber and Susan Lutz Klauda

When students visit the library a huge emphasis is placed on the 

premise that they have

 CHOICE

in what they can read and borrow. 

TECHNOLOGY IN THE LIBRARY

In the library we are safe online and respectful of each other and the technology.

Please follow the steps:

1. Write your name, class and CB / iPad number neatly in the book.
2. Sit where Mrs McGuirk, or a Library Leader can walk behind you.
3. Always log in on your chromebook using your school login.

If you would like to access another site, please ask Mrs McGuirk first.

LIBRARY BAGS

Please note a LIBRARY BAG is the first item on your child's equipment list for this year.

Thank you for ensuring your child has a library bag. I have some spares and will issue these to students next week who have not yet presented with a bag.

LIBRARY BAGS MATTER...  Not just some of the time but all of the time.

No food or drink on my books.

Food and drink are for the chooks.

Library bags keep ‘em clean.

Books are cool don’t treat ‘em mean.

Bring your bag every time.

Fill it up and get in line.

Have it scanned and scoot on out.

LIBRARY BAGS

We all shout.

J. McGuirk

WORLD BOOK ONLINE - 

Ask your child about the bookmark which provides home access for World eBooks and Worldbook online.

If you have not logged on and had a browse around, sit down with your child and ask them about it. I'm sure all primary-aged students will be able to show you some of the features.

UPDATED - SORA - easy access guide 

Download the free App to access this online reading resource provided for us by the Catholic Schools Office. Your family will have access to thousands of books 24/7.