The Open Gateway

Guest speakers, activities, quizzes, sizzling snags!

It all kicks off August 18 - 22

Tuesday August 5 - Andy Wright - International Story Teller

Andy will be performing for all Year 7 students in the Hall during session 4.

Monday August 18 - Fan Making

All that glitters…..fan making in the library during lunch.

Tuesday August 19 - Quiz: Where is Einstein?

Collect a quiz sheet and tell us where Einstein is. The first 3 correct entries drawn will each receive a $20 book voucher.

Tuesday August 19 - Barry Jonsberg

Barry Jonsberg speaks to all Year 9 students in the Hall during session 4.

Tuesday August 19 - Scot Gardner 7.00pm

Scot Gardner will speak to parents and share his thoughts on reading and writing. Drinks and finger food will be provided.

Wednesday August 20 - Book Fair

The seminar room will be choc-a-block full of great books to buy for both students and staff. Bring your cash. Most books will be less than $20.

Thursday August 21 - Sausage Sizzle

Sausages and cans of drink will be available in the Chapel Courtyard.

Friday August 22 - Fan Making continues

Thursday August 28 - Archie Fusillo

Archie will be performing for all Year 8 students in the Hall during session 4.

The Shortlist for Older Readers

Don’t Call Me Ishmael by Gerard Bauer (F BAU)

One Whole and Perfect Day by Margaret Clarke (F CLA)

Monster Blood Tattoo: Foundling by D. M. Cornish (F COR)

The Red Shoe by Ursula Dubosarsky (F DUB)

Red Spikes by Margo Lanagan (F LAN)

My Big Birkett by Lisa Shanahan (F SHA)

Morris Gleitzman recently spoke at a conference held at the State Library of Victoria. He said he had read, or tried to read, the very worst book in the world. He kept the audience guessing as to which book he was referring. This strategy is employed when wiritng a story. Providing the reader with a challenge or problem to solve. Every story needs at least two possible outcomes and the reader may even predict more. This is what keeps us reading.

Take the Challenge and read 15 books (10 from the reading list) before August 31, 2008. You may count the books you have read between February and now. To register please see Mrs. Cain in the library. You will be provided with a username and password to access the site and record the books you have read. www.education.vic.gov.au/prc

The Inkys are the first Australian Book Award to be chosen by teenagers. The winner of the Australian category is Notes from the Teenage Underground by Simone Howell. Looking for Alaska is the winner of the International category. Both are worthy winners. Congratulations to both authors and to all those who voted. Your choice is to be commended.

Where do you learn best? Yes, where not how!

A recent conference held in Melbourne at the State Library centred around this very topic. What spaces do you enjoy learning in? Are the days gone where tables and chairs all lined up in rows, everyone facing the front? Unfortunately I don’t think so. Wouldn’t we all love the freedom to design our own favourite space in which to learn?

It is comforting to see the readers in the library slip off their shoes and curl up on a couch and bury their face in a book. They’re comfortable, cozy and enjoying the space which in turn provides them with the ideal environment in which to read and to learn.

Where are you most comfortable? Can that be replicated in a school setting? What changes can be made to the library space so that learning is more effective?