Library News

What's Hot? Agatha Christie!

Is there a killer hiding in our library? 

Pick a case. Follow the clues and suspect everyone as the Queen of Crime has arrived at Beaumaris Secondary College library! We’ve added a huge selection of Agatha Christie mysteries to our collection.

Meet the legendary Hercule Poirot, whose brilliant detective work features in The ABC Murders, Five Little Pigs, Appointment with Death and Cards on the Table. Or venture into some of Christie’s other mysteries, including The Pale Horse, The Sittaford Mystery, Murder on the Orient Express and Death Comes as the End.

For something especially chilling, try And Then There Were None: ten strangers are invited to an isolated island, only to discover that someone is picking them off one by one. Who is the murderer — and will anyone survive?

Christie’s writing style is one of the reasons her books remain so readable. Her prose is clear, clever and quick-moving, with plenty of dialogue and short chapters. Rather than relying on graphic violence, she builds suspense through clues, secrets, motives and human behaviour. She is also a master of the red herring — giving you just enough information to think you’ve solved the crime before revealing what you completely overlooked.

And for something different, students are encouraged to try Agatha Christie: An Autobiography, also featured on our wall. Christie tells the story of her own remarkable life, from her childhood and two world wars to archaeological expeditions, travel and the creation of Poirot and Miss Marple. 

I have had several requests from students to see more Agatha Christie books in our collection, and now it’s time for those students to get to play detective too.

Celebrating Australian School Library Day 

Recently we celebrated Australian School Library Day, with this year’s theme, School Libraries: The Best Investment. As a library manager, I see that investment at work in our library every day - in students discovering a great book, researching project-based learning, studying together, reading along with friends, or settling into one of our egg chairs or colourful beanbags snug with a book in hand.

Fittingly, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), the Australian Coalition for School Libraries and Australia Reads released a statement highlighting school libraries’ role in fostering reading for pleasure. It points to reading’s demonstrated benefits for health, education and future employment, as well as its contribution to a healthier, happier and more connected society. A recent international research review, highlighted by ALIA Schools in 2026, similarly found that well-resourced, professionally led school libraries contribute to student literacy, learning achievement and wellbeing. Our library at Beaumaris Secondary is carefully curated to include a book for every student reading level, whether a student is an accelerated reader or a little reluctant.

Encouraging reading at Beaumaris Secondary extends beyond the library. I regularly create book boxes and mobile libraries which are taken into classrooms, placing physical books directly into students’ hands encouraging them to browse, explore and discover something new. In an increasingly screen-based world, these opportunities to hold a physical book, turn its pages and read away from a device are especially valuable.

Our library is proudly device-free during recess and lunchtime, giving students an opportunity to step away from screens and silently read, browse the shelves or relax with friends. Its welcoming spaces support learning, wellbeing, belonging and connection.

I believe this balance matters in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world. In its September 2026 response to the latest PISA results amongst 15-year-old students, ALIA highlighted school libraries as an important alternative to screen time. It emphasised a library’s role in developing information and AI literacy, critical thinking, and the skills students need to recognise misinformation.

Australian School Library Day reminds us that a secondary school library is much more than books on shelves. It supports literacy, learning and wellbeing—and offers a place for curiosity, discovery, friendship and connection. Sometimes, it is simply where a student finds a friendly smile, the perfect beanbag, and the right book at just the right time.

Book Council of Australia 2026 Children's Book Week

It was lovely to see groups of students in the library engage in lively discussion about featured books during Book Week recently. The 2026 Children’s Book Week theme, Symphony of Stories, focused on books where stories and music come together in storytelling.

New Books

Overdue Books 

Overdue library book recall notices have been emailed to students. Thank you to those students who have promptly returned their library books. 

Please return all library books from your lockers and from home as soon as possible. The RETURN BOX can be found outside the entrance to the library on Southern level. 

Happy Holiday Reading 

It has been great to see so many students borrow books to take home and read over the holiday break. Holidays are the perfect time to slow down, switch off and get lost in a great book. Our students are encouraged to write a review of any book they read and would like to recommend to fellow students. All book reviews will be published in upcoming newsletters. Happy Reading! 

Library Opening Hours 

Make your way up to S3 on the Southern level! 

Monday - Thursday 

9.30am-2.30pm.

The library is open at recess and lunchtime.

Student ID Cards

A reminder to all students that your Compass Student ID card is also your library card. Please bring your student ID card to the library when you would like to borrow.

Book Returns

Please Return any books to the RETURNS BOX at the entrance to the library on Southern level (S3).

During a library class students are to return books to the shelves when they have finished with them, respectfully leaving the space as they found it ready for the next class.

Niamh McPhelimy 

Library Manager