Book Fair – Thank you!

Another amazing response to our Book Fair – we took in $6800 and raised just over $2000 in dollar reward points. Lots of new books coming to the shelves! Thank you once again for your support.

Back orders from Book Fair (where an order was placed for a last copy) should be arriving soon.

We also had some parents who ordered after the deadline for Issue 3 Book Club. These orders will be arriving soon. Back orders from Issue 3 will be delivered when back in stock.

Issue 4 book club brochures will be coming home soon, order deadline is Friday 13th June 9am.

Reconciliation Week – Author visit

We had a great time at Tony Armstrong’s book talk on Wednesday. A proud Gamilaroi man, well-loved media personality and former AFL player (Crows, Magpies and Swans), Tony is now the author of two children’s books: George the Wizard and Maggie the Dragon. Our Year 1 and 2 learners along with invited guests and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners were captivated by Tony’s talk and his reading of Maggie the Dragon, a story about being seen and loved for who you really are. Learners were excited to line up and have their book/s signed by Tony, and he enjoyed having a little chat and a laugh with learners. Thanks to Where the Wild Things Are (bookshop) and Hachette Publishers for facilitating this opportunity for our school.

Special mention to Kirriana and Anthony Appo who did an amazing job on the Acknowledgement of Country. We were very proud of them, and Tony said to me he was so impressed with their confidence in speaking so beautifully in front of a large audience.

Reconciliation Week - Learning in the Library

In the library we have been reading and listening to a number of wonderful stories for Reconciliation Week. Prep learners have enjoyed the book Our Flag, Our Story by Bernard Namok Jnr and Thomas Mayo, which is the story of the design of the Torres Strait Islander flag.

Our Year 3 learners have been exploring the design of the 2025 Reconciliation artwork by Bree Buttenshaw. We learned that the resilience of the native flora in the design embodies the strength, adaptability of people and communities (Reconciliation Australia website). Classes have also read two books by Coral Vass and Dub Leffler: Walking Together and Sorry Day which both explore themes of Reconciliation and relationships, healing and connection.

Year 1 and 2 classes explored the book Country by Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson, with illustrations by Cheryl Davison, and talked about the strong connection to the earth, sun, sky, moon and stars and how Aboriginal people have cared for Country for many thousands of years. Learners made connections to ways they can take care of Country, too, by treating animals and plants with respect and not leaving rubbish lying around.

National Reconciliation Week occurs every year in Australia from May 27 to June 3. These dates commemorate significant events in Australian history related to reconciliation, including the 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision. Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community. In the library we often use stories and books as a starting point for learning and discussion. We have an extensive collection of books written and / or illustrated by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People suitable for all ages. These are available to all learners, staff and parents to browse from and borrow.

Questions?

If you have any questions, email Ms Edwards – gedwa16@eq.edu.au

You can access our school library catalogue here. Parents are welcome to become library borrowers, too. Drop in and see us if you’d like to sign up.