Term Four Is Already Upon Us! Where Has The Year Gone?

It is hard to believe that we are approaching the end of 2011. It has been an exciting year in the library. We have seen the regular arrival of many new books and Mrs Jarrett has been kept busy accessioning and preparing them for borrowing.

Wonderful Mothers

I would like to extend my thanks to the mothers who regularly took big bags of books home to be covered. It is through your hard work and dedication that the library has continued to be a place where new reading material is constantly on display.

Outstanding Library Monitors

My wonderful library monitors have been the backbone of the library this year. I congratulate Tayla, Taryn, Hannah, Volkan, Jack, Alex, Nathan, Ryan, Tom, Rentaro, Brendan, Emily and Oliver on the manner in which you have undertaken your duties in the library with enthusiasm and dedication. What am I going to do without you?

Totally Amazing

I have had very encouraging feedback from the students on the Totally Amazing performance which showcased the shortlisted books for 2011. These wonderful performers really made the books that the children had been studying in library lessons come to life. There was entertaining singing and dancing weaving the books into an engaging story in which the children could participate with the actors. This was a marvellous celebration of reading.

The Book Parade and Book Fair

We always enjoy the book parade and this year was no exception. The book parade is a highlight of the year at Cromer and our marvellous staff really get into the spirit with their amazing costumes. What child would fail to enjoy reading after watching so many storybook characters come to life?

We have had two book fairs this year and both have been extremely successful. The commission from the sale of the books has really helped to stock the library shelves with a great number of new titles. We will only have one book fair next year. This will begin on March 20th.

The Library Program.

The students will be receiving library lessons until the end of week eight. All borrowing will cease at the end of week six. During weeks seven and eight I will be asking for the return of all borrowed items so that the stocktake can begin in week nine. All students who have no outstanding loans by week nine will receive a ticket in the library raffle.

Books that were considered for the shortlist as book of the year are called Notable Books. I have chosen a number of Notable books and new picture books for inclusion in the library program this term.

Kindergarten and Year One will explore the simple things that make us happy in A Rat In A Stripy Sock by Francis Watts. They will enjoy the symbols of love in our lives that are evident in What Is This Thing Called Love? By David Cali. We will all enjoy reading Hazel Edwards’ latest book Hooray! There’s A Hippopotamus On Our Roof Having A Birthday Party and Leo The Littlest Seahorse by Margaret Wild will lead us under the sea to find out all about the life of these unique creatures.


Year Two students will begin their study with Bruce Whatley’s latest book Hunting For Dragons. This is an exciting tale which explores the power of the imagination. We will then read The Vegetable Ark by Kim Kane, an author with whom the children are quite familiar. How Frogmouth Found A Home by Ambelin Kwaymullina is a wonderful Aboriginal legend which will lead us into the Dreamtime and Cowzat by Bruce Atherton gives as a humorous and unique account of how the game of cricket may really have been invented.

The Students in Stage Two will begin their studies with a trip to Vietnam using the book The Red Bridge by Kylie Dunstan. We will venture into life in Victorian England as we study Queen Victoria’s Underpants by Jackie French. The Great Expedition by Peter Carnavas will take us on the expedition with Burke and Wills and the wonderful book by Boori Monty Prior, Shake A Leg will demonstrate the power of dance in breaking down cultural barriers.

In Stage Three the students will journey to Macquarie Island using the detailed history provided in One Small Island by Alison Lester. Jackie French's Queen Victoria's Underpants has also been chosen for Stage Three to enjoy. The Road to Goonong by David Cox will provide the students with an experience of life during the Great Depression and will highlight the inginuity and resourcefulness of people living on the land at this time. Brian Flakner is a popular author in our library and his latest book Nothwood will be the final focus in our studies for this term.

Smart Notebooks have been created for the study of all of the above texts. Lessons include interactive activities on the Panaboard, exploration of websites to research the themes in each of the books, viewing of books related to the texts that are being studied, virtual tours using YouTube and assorted activities in response to the texts. We are going to be busy! Have a wonderful fourth term and really enjoy your Christmas break.