Papua New Guinea Book Drive

Each year we send books to Papua New Guinea that we are no longer using. These books are too good to throw away and a group by the name of HOPE collect these books from schools to donate to under resourced libraries in PNG schools. Thanks to all of those parents who donated books for Papua New Guinea this year they totalled around 500 which was great. Overall we donated 1,871 books. Donations are always welcome as I put them aside until next years drive.

Premier's Reading Challenge 2011

Congratulations to the 36 children who completed this years Premier's Reading Challenge. The certificates each child receives is an acknowledgement of the reading that they do over the year. Reading is such an important part of education as children learn so much but at the same time can relax and enjoy the activity. Listed below are this years participants. Special mention must go to Chelsea Marriott on her 'Gold Award' for her fourth successful year of participation.

Andrew Alexakis, Perry Alexakis, Christina Argiropoulos, Aven Au, Anthony Bao, Anthea Chau, Grace Chen, Tina Dai, Wendy Dai, Jason Dong, Raymond Du, Andrew Eason-Pikot, Catherine Guan, Minh Chau Ha, Natasha Harvey, Raymond He, Dylan Huang, Maria Kamel, Natasha Lawson, Michael Li, Sally Lindberg, Lori Lindsay, Daniel Luo, Vanessa Luong, Andrew Macdonald, Chelsea Marriott, Angela Mataio, Tam Nguyen, Raymond Pham, Vuong Pham, Layla Salz, Noah Vando, Annabelle Vrckoski, Kevin Wang, Neil Yin, Jadon Yip

Bookfeast 2011

Felicity Pulman author of Ghost Boy with Adam, Tina, Abbey and Sharon.

Chris Morphew author of the Zac Power Series
with Abbey, Sharon, Tina and Adam.

Each year four children from Year 5 are chosen to attend a Boofeast. This year Abbey Leedow, Sharon Li, Tina Dai and Adam Panovski were the lucky four. The venue was Burwood RSL. The children were able to meet Australian authors and illustrators. They talked to a variety of these people and were able to obtain autographs and have photos taken. Lunch was provided and as always was one of the many highlights of the day.

Library Recognition Ceremony

On Wednesday, 9th November 2011, the new library was officially opened. An Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony, performed by Uncle Steve Williams, was a fabulous way to commence the day. This was certainly something that all the children and staff will remember. Mr Daryl Melham MP for Banks officially opened the new library and along with Mrs Mollica and our two School Captains Brock Russo and Emma Gilbert the plaque was unveiled.

A Name for the Library Bear

Thanks to all those children who wrote in suggestions for names for the library bear. After careful thinking the name Coco was chosen. Whatever he is called he is certainly a popular addition to the library.

Book Week Parade

On Wednesday 24th August a Book Week Parade was held for the whole school. Children and staff dressed up in a variety of outfits to celebrate Book Week 2011. The creativeness and the enthusiasm displayed made for an entertaining event. At the conclusion of the parade the staff swapped classes and read a story followed by an activity. Both staff and children enjoyed the experience.

Year 5 Meet Christopher Cheng

On Tuesday 23rd August, Year 5 walked down to Padstow Local Library to meet Christopher Cheng. Christopher is an author who has written a variety of books. So far he has had 35 books published. He spoke to the children about the process of collecting ideas and the importance of editing. He read his new book about to be released called 'Sounds Spooky'. The children thoroughly enjoyed meeting Christopher.

Oliver Phommavanh Visits Padstow Park

Oliver Phommavanh, author of Thai-Riffic and Con-Nerd, recently visited our school to talk to the Stage 2 and Stage 3 children. He spoke about using your imagination when writing and showed objects that he has found inspiring. The children and staff all enjoyed his visit and found Oliver to be very funny.

Book Week 2011

Book Week is fast approaching. The date for Book Week 2011 is August 20 - 26. The theme this year is 'One World Many Stories'.
To celebrate Book Week:

• Kindergarten and Year 6 will visit Padstow Library




• Oliver Phommavanh, author of THAI-RIFFIC, will be visiting our school




• There will be a Book Fair held in the school library from 10th - 17th August




• Each class will be involved in listening to and voting for their favourite books from the Book Week Short List




• Each class will produce art work related to these books for display in the library
  

Inside the New Library

Outside the New Library

Congratulations 3/6D

3/6D are enjoying their reward for being the first class to return all their books this term. Well done.

Stage One Literature

During this term, Stage One have been reading fiction stories that have wet and dry environments as their settings. Below are some of their work that is displayed in the library.

Premier's Reading Challenge

The Premier's Reading Challenge is well under way. There are 20 children who have already completed the 2011 challenge and many other children close to completion. The challenge finishes in September so keep reading and good luck.

Library Construction