Library News

Book Week 2019

Reading is my secret power!

To launch Book Week 2019 we had a special guest author in Home Room Assembly. Wearing crazy headwear Mrs Jane Viner, Library Leader along with John Morgan, Year 10 Library Monitor introduced our own real life science fiction author, Mr Damian Perry who read a passage from his book “Dwarves in space”.

Students and staff had fun with crazy headwear of hats, wigs and beanies and challenged their literary skills with the daily quiz. Celebrity Heads and Super Hero Trivia had enthusiastic participants. A fun week for all celebrating our own secret powers!

Read every day and enjoy this special super power!

Spelling Bees

“Your word is, problematical.”

Term 3 has seen the SJC library host two year level spelling bees. Both the Year 8 and Year 10 bees were well attended by audiences and had large numbers of contestants who represented their homerooms admirably.

The Year 8 bee was held during Book Week and along with the usual curriculum word categories, there was a Book Week themed list. After a number of challenging knock-out rounds, three spellers remained. When there were two students left standing, Tom R faltered on his final word and Xavier W went on to spell correctly for the win. Well done to all boys who were involved. They were rewarded with a Book Week lolly bag featuring a superheroes bookmark for their efforts. Thank you to Ms Bates and Mr Salvatore for their excellent adjudication. Mystery prizes for some lucky audience members wound up a most enjoyable Book Week lunchtime.

The Year 10 bee had eighteen contestants who each were enthusiastic in their efforts to advance beyond the first round. Some boys unfortunately were tripped up by a tricky word and fell by the wayside but it was great to have them along for the ride. The atmosphere was warm and the audience really delighted in the entertaining antics of some of the spellers. Ms Bates kindly returned to adjudicate and in Mr Salvatore’s absence, Ms Grogan enjoyed the experience of being word reader. Our theme list for this bee was Breakfast words. Upon completion of the spelling bee each contestant was very pleased to receive a voucher for the SJC Breakfast Club. Our thanks go to Year 10 coordinator, Mr Shepherd, who continues to support the bee with these surprise incentives. Carsten S is the Year 10 spelling bee champion for 2019 with Jack F taking the honour of being his runner-up.

We look forward to the Year 7 and Year 9 bees next term and the ultimate champion of champions competition to complete this year’s fixture.

Deirdre Riordan

Library Teacher