_{Our School Library - 2020}

The Library is the hub of our school, where our goal is to assist students to reach their full potential. Each class comes to the library once a week for between 45mins to 1 hour. Our library has a strong and proud borrowing record with over 13,000 books being borrowed in 2019. Students are encouraged to read for pleasure and every effort made to find them the perfect book.

During library sessions students will:

• be exposed to a wide range of quality literature
• develop an understanding of how the library is organised and, using the school cataloguing system, Oliver, know how to locate a specific title
• develop their information literacy skills - research, note-taking and presentation skills through Guided Inquiry projects supporting classroom curriculum learning
• develop an understanding of their digital footprint, their rights and responsibilities when online, including being a good digital citizen, and how to identify and react to online bullying
• develop an understanding of the risks associated with a social media presence and online gaming, and how to stay safe online

Technology Resources

The library is equipped with 16 laptops, 10 desktop PC's, an Interactive whiteboard and video conferencing equipment.

Lunch Opening Times

The library is open second half lunchtime. During this time, students can dance to the tunes being played on the interactive white board by the Stage 3 Library Monitors, play chess, Battleships, Lego, build with blocks or train tracks, or sit (not so quietly) and read.  

Due to the increase lunchtime numbers we have had to assign days. On Tuesdays and Thursdays the library is open to Years K-2. On Mondays and Thursdays it is open to Years 3-6. The library is closed on Friday lunchtimes.

2020 Covid-19 Update:

Library Monitors

Each year a group of Stage 3 students nominate themselves to be a Library Monitor. Once a week, students give up the second half of their lunch break to help out in the library. They assist by scanning and shelving returned books, help and play with younger students and play DJ so that students sing and dance. 

The Library Monitors are a great asset to the library and offer students a leadership role that is significant and rewarding.

Book Week

Each year in Term 3 we celebrate Book Week. Annually, the Children’s Book Council of Australia nominates Australian books and presents awards to books of literary merit for outstanding contribution to Australian children's literature.  During the term our focus will be on the shortlisted books, with each class participating in shared reading and discussion.

To celebrate Book Week, authors and/or illustrators are often organised to come and talk to students.

Book Week 2019 - The school went to visit Thirroul Library

2018 Book Week Author Visit: Oliver Phommavanh presenting to the students.

Cool Stuff

Around May of each year, 20 Stage 3 students are selected to go the Sydney Writers Festival where they participate in presentations and workshops by well-known authors and illustrators. 

Later in the term, 8 students are selected to go to the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Illawarra Branch Literary Lunch, usually held at the Fraternity Club in Fairy Meadow. Students have the opportunity to get up close and personal with local and not-so local authors and illustrators, and participate in a workshop.