This term the library has hosted the Logan Park Book Club, the Otago/Southland Chess Tournament, Dunedin Schools’ Debating every second Wednesday, as well as the junior parent/teacher interviews.

We also welcomed the Victoria University of Wellington liaison officer who spoke to a large group of year 12 and 13 students about what is on offer.

The library student crew has promoted New Zealand Sign Language Week, 5 -11 May, Bullying-Free Week, 12 – 16 May, and Samoan Language Week, 1 – 7 June. Last week we celebrated diversity during Schools’ Pride Week, 3 – 6 June, and last but not least, our fabulous Dungeons and Dragons crew has returned to use the library after school on Fridays. Next week we look forward to celebrating Matariki with origami, board games, card games and lots of books.

The library was abuzz during Schools’ Pride Week

Book Club once again worked together to generate Pride themed quizzes. The quiz categories were: Queer Authors, Historical Queer Identities, Modern Queer Books, Queer Representation on Film, TV and in Video Games, and Heartstopper. Five quizzes, five winners!Many thanks to the wonderful group of students who gave up their lunchtime on the Friday prior to Pride Week to set up.The library was transformed. 

Year 9 Library Lessons 

Building reading habits

Our efforts towards building lifelong reading habits continue. Providing spontaneous opportunities for students to engage in book chat with their classmates and teachers is a wonderful way to foster a love of reading. Prioritising time in each library lesson for book chat and reading is key. This encourages reading diversity, enhances critical thinking, encourages students to share their own thoughts, and to consider different perspectives. Talking about books helps students stay interested in reading beyond the classroom.

‘…children’s enjoyment of reading is related to a longer life, better mental well-being…But reading for pleasure is also good for communities because readers tend to be good at making decisions, have more empathy and are likely to value other people and the environment more.’

-R Boyask et al (2021), ‘Kiwi kids who read for pleasure will do well in other ways – it’s everyone’s responsibility to encourage them’ – the Conversation

: https://theconversation.com/kiwi-kids-who-read-for-pleasurewill-do- well-in-other-ways-its-everyones-responsibility-to-encourage-them-171947

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