Library 

The Power of fiction and stories.

During Headstart the Year 8’s have been discussing the picture story book ‘Flight’ written by Nadia Wheately and illustrated by Armin Greder. The story follows a family of husband, wife and infant who are escaping persecution and war through a bleak desert landscape, always with the noise and effects of weaponry not far off. They reach a refugee camp, only to find themselves ‘stuck’ there for many years. The story ends with a promise by their young son to his mother that , “One day, we will reach our new home.”

The year 8 students wrote about the messages that this book conveyed both by the sparse text and bleak illustrations. Students felt that this story, like so many others, is important in raising awareness and creating a more compassionate society.

Recently Year 7 & 8 students synthesised the meaning and themes from multiple books that they had read; one year 7 student student read two fiction books about war and this is the understanding he came to:

“Now I understand that both books deeply impact on the way humans react. They are forced to adapt to alien worlds and try to survive with little help. My latest thought about the ideas in the books are that the people in the books would do anything to get out of war, and it shows in today’s modern world how alot of wars happen because of politics, not because of the people.”

Reading brings new understandings and widens the world of the student, growing their empathy and compassion.

We encourage summer reading both in physical and eBooks. eBooks can be accessed through ‘My Library’ on SPACE, just go to the Wheelers eBooks link under ‘My Reading’, access is free to St. Peter’s students.

The Library Teams from Cranbourne and Clyde North would like to wish all students and their families a wonderful, peaceful and safe Christmas Season and New Year.

Ms Joyce Sendeckyj

Ms Margaret Rowland

Ms Vicki Young

Ms Leigh-Ann Burns

Ms Jane Trainor

Ms Gangulali Iddagoda