LIBRARY NEWS

Welcome to the latest library news. After the busyness of the term, we've had a relatively normal couple of weeks as we head toward the finish line. As we're nearing the end of term, classes are hard at work on some fantastic projects, and I'm excited to share a glimpse into what they've been creating in the coming weeks. Look out for some wonderful animal research infographics from our younger students and amazing book trailers from Stage 3.

This Week's Reads

This week, our Kindergarten and Stage 1 students have been delighted by the fun and adventurous book, Digger Digs Down, by Johanna Bell. This wonderful story was shortlisted for the New Illustrator Books of the Year category, and it's easy to see why.

The story follows a cheeky and determined dog, Digger, who is left home alone. As soon as he has the house to himself, he starts doing his favourite thing: digging! Digger digs down, to the left, and to the right, and in his journey, he 'donks and clonks' into all sorts of surprises, including sparkling gems, an underground sea, and even dinosaur bones. The students have loved following Digger's underground adventure and discovering all the amazing things hidden beneath the earth's surface. 

Students then have fun creating their own cheeky dog and drawing all the fun things it discovers on their own adventure.

Last week, Stage 2 enjoyed the non-fiction book, South with the Seabirds, by Jess McGeachin. A shortlisted title for the CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia) awards, this beautiful book tells the true story of the very first female scientists to go on an expedition to the remote Macquarie Island.

Macquarie Island is an amazing place, and our students were fascinated to learn that it's often called "The Land of a Million Penguins" because of the huge number of penguins that live there! The classes have loved viewing the real photos from the historical expedition and learning about the unique animals and other sea life that call the island home.

Following our reading, students selected an animal from the island to research using a guided template. Building on their research, this week they are using their IT skills to create eye-catching infographics with Canva. They are learning to summarise information into fun facts and to apply basic design principles, such as choosing interesting fonts and creating a clear, appealing page layout. We can't wait to see their finished projects!

Last week, our Stage 3 students kicked off their "Books of the Year" project! They have a choice between creating a dynamic book trailer for a shortlisted title or developing an author/illustrator showcase.

This project is a fantastic opportunity for students to not only dive into some incredible new books but also to develop a range of creative and digital skills. They're learning how to promote literature and share their passion for reading with their peers. Once their trailers and showcases are complete, they will create a QR code so that other students can easily view their work.

I'm looking forward to sharing these amazing projects with you all by the end of the term!

Premier's Reading Challenge CLOSES NEXT WEEK

This is a friendly reminder that the Premier's Reading Challenge is closing soon. A special congratulations to the students who have already completed the Challenge this week. All books must be logged by next Friday, September 19th.

Please ensure your child's reading record is up to date on the official website by this date. If you or your child needs any assistance with logging books or has any questions, please see Mrs. Fraser in the library. We want to make sure every student's hard work is recorded!

Sora Books of the Week

Did you know our school library has a fantastic digital collection of eBooks and audiobooks called Sora? Instructions to log in can be found here. This week, our featured theme on Sora is 'Stand Up', all about being brave and having the courage to stand up for yourself or others.

It's a wonderful opportunity for students to explore stories of resilience, kindness, and strength, especially ahead of RUOK Day on Thursday. Be sure to check them out.

Meet the Reader

Meet Addison Brown from 3S, who was incredibly proud to share a special new addition to our library collection, “The Adventures of Chook, Chick and Cackles”. It turns out the author and illustrator is none other than Addison’s own grandmother, Fiona Brown! We know this book will hold a special place on our shelves, and we can’t wait for everyone to enjoy it.

A huge congratulations to 4WL! They were the joint winners of our Class 'Guess Who' Book Week Challenge and thoroughly enjoyed the delicious spoils of their victory: hot chips! What a great way to celebrate their win.

Happy reading,

Mrs Toni Fraser