Library News

Maria SMITH

Head of Library

NEWSFLASH: LIBRARIAN’S EXCITING ENCOUNTER WITH PARALYMPICS CHAMPION GALLAGHER (with inspirational life lessons for students)

Doing some voluntary media work on May 24 provided an exciting opportunity to interview the inspirational 2024 Paris Paralympics Silver Medalist, JESS GALLAGHER!

Growing up in Geelong in a single-parent household and diagnosed with a rare eye disease when in Year 12 had been devastating for Jess, but she certainly managed to turn her fears into achieving new-found dreams (and becoming a global sensation) without focusing on her disability.

Turned motivational speaker, she shared how acceptance is important and not giving up to re-channel your strengths and make the most of the opportunities as they present. In the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, she was banned/disqualified after the Chinese Paralympics Team specialist’s assessment confirmed that “she was not blind enough to participate” and ironically (good/sad for Jess) explained that for the next Paralympics she should qualify as her eyesight is getting worse and would eventually lose it.

 A Paralympics silver/bronze medalist and now considered legally blind, Jess shared some important lessons on how to harness the ability to trust yourself and others, be adaptive to whatever conditions you are in, stay courageous and focused with perspective and purpose, connect and communicate with those who can provide support and services. 

As the keynote speaker for the Best of the Best (BOTB) Entrepreneurial Awards 2025, Jess  an RMIT awardee and Ambassador for Vision Australia for the last 15 years,  reiterated that helping others to create the best version of themselves helps us to be the better version of ourselves, and finished off with a quote from Mark Twain: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but it is acting in spite of it”. She then posed a question for everyone ARE. YOU. READY (?) to face your mountain, your storm and your fear with a strong dose of hope and courage! For more inspiring news about Jess, please visit: https://jessgallagher.com.au/

THE LIBRARY AS A CULTURAL GATEKEEPER

Our Highvale Library continues to showcase and celebrate students’ wonderful work.

Huge thanks to Mrs Valentine (Junior School Coordinator), Ms Warwick and Ms A. Grandy for giving their Year 7 History students the opportunity to showcase some amazing work at the Library Foyer. Students love seeing their work on display! 

WISH FOR A BOOK AND ENJOY IT!

Students who wrote in the Library Wishlist Folder were overjoyed their novels have arrived and could not wait to read these bestsellers! Popular titles requested included Lauren Roberts’Powerless, Fearless and Reckless; Shannon Messenger’sUnravelled (Book 9.5); Suzanne Collins’Hunger Games (The Sunrise on the Reaping); Soman Chainani’s Rise/Fall of the School for Good and Evil; and Tsubasa Yamaguchi’s Manga Volume 1-6 Blue Period. 

So come to the Library and write your Wishlist!

LIBRARY MONITORS EXCITED TO GENREFY

Library monitors also got their share of excitement during lunchtime when they were given the task of putting novels in different genres or categories then stick genre labels on the book spines. Something so heartwarming to watch as a Librarian, a simple little task that has brought the monitors so much joy! (Certainly, more exciting lunchtimes ahead!)

VICTORIAN PREMIERS READING CHALLENGE 2025

So far, we have around officially 25 students registered for the Challenge, mostly submitting book reviews and recommendations, and published in our monthly Newsletter and the VPRC website. These students also get green chronicle entries in their efforts to demonstrate the school values of RESPONSIBILITY and EXCELLENCE.

It is never too late to register, please visit the library or email the Librarian on maria.smith@education.vic.gov,au. Students may borrow FOUR novels at a time for THREE weeks provided books are returned/renewed on time. HAPPY READING!

In celebrating 20 years of words and wonder, the VPRC/DET has provided some useful resources and programs for parents and carers to support their child’s learning, enhancing literacy skills from early childhood, please click: 

https://www.vic.gov.au/supporting-your-childs-education?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Premiers-Reading-Challenge-Coordinators-Update-May-2025&utm_content=vic.gov.au/supporting-your-childs-education&utm_source=v6.education.vic.gov.au

VPRC BOOK REVIEWERS’ AMAZING REFLECTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS

The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni ★★★★★

I enjoyed this book because of its unique setting and characters. Kiva's situation is interesting, to say the least, but I loved how it came together. I'm excited to read the next two books, but I have a bad feeling something is going to go bad soon because of how great the ending was. Note: This book has some older themes.

Raelia by Lynette Noni ★★★★

I am unfortunately aware I did not rate the last book in this series, though I give it 3.5 stars. Niyx's death is well written and was a good choice since it impacted Alex. This book, again, agitated me, as their quest was for nothing. However, I did learn that their quest was not for nothing, though the fact that they turned them down after Alex's group completed their trials still managed to ruin my mood.

Akarnae by Lynette Noni ★★★★

An interesting start with the villain introduced almost immediately. Lynnete Noni did a good job building the characters in this book and slowly building to the main problem.

Grace H. (7D)

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins ★★

"Sunrise on the Reaping" by Suzanne Collins was not one of my favourite books. In this well-anticipated prequel to 'The Hunger Games', it was quite a disappointing book. I couldn't lose myself in this book; the book plot wasn't exciting, and the lyrical verses, which were not written well, were confusing. Overall, not one of my favourite books.

As Good as Dead by Holly Jackson★★★

As Good as Dead was the last book in A Good Girls Guide to Murder where Pippa Fitz-Amobi, the main character, is struggling from her past investigation, plus receiving death threats from a serial killer. It was super scary and chilling, and I did not expect the ending. This book was quite creepy, and I would recommend it to people 14 years old and up.

A good girl's guide to murder by Holly Jackson ★★★★★

I really loved this book. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder was a suspenseful, chilling mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to end. I really enjoyed this book because the plot and motives were clear, and I understood what was going on throughout the book. The storyline and plot of this book was gold, and I loved the characters.

Good girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson ★★★★

This book was a sequel to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and it did not disappoint. This creepy story was about the protagonist, Pippa Fitz-Amobi, trying to find out what happened to her friend's brother who went missing. It kept me up all night, and the plot twists were well-written and planned. I really liked this book, and I would recommend it to readers 12 and above.

Alyssa P. (8G)

HIGHVALE WRITERS CLUB 

HWC gives students the opportunity to inspire their peers through creativity in all forms including artwork and drawing. Well done for demonstrating our school value of EXCELLENCE, Guillem CG (10A).

Anomolocaris Canadensis is not only one of the first predators, but it was also one of the coolest. Although it just looked like a weird shrimp, it was considered a predecessor to many animals, and it is a statement to the inspiring beauty of the past. 

INSIGHT CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION

A reminder to our aspiring writers of the opportunity to compete in the Insight CWW until 1 September, with a total prize offer of $3,000, please access the link for more information: 

https://www.insightpublications.com.au/insight-creative-writing-competition/ 

CONNECTING OUR HIGHVALE FAMILY TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY

The State Library of Victoria 

The SLV has so much to offer in terms of FREE events, exhibitions, activities for families and children, among others. Most importantly, since opening its doors to the public in February 1856, the Library has evolved and expanded to include more reading rooms, galleries, exhibition spaces, lecture halls and venues for the public to enjoy. Please click the link https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/visit and enjoy/visit all these magnificent spaces below:

THE CARIBBEAN GARDENS MARKET FOOD TRUCK CARNIVALE (Scoresby Area on May 31)

Entrance: FREE 

Enjoy Victoria’s tastiest food trucks and just relax checking out market stalls and listening to live music performances with family and friends!

Food Truck Carnivale Night Market Hits Caribbean Gardens with a Feast of Flavour | marketsandfestivals