One of the great joys of my role is interacting with young people from age 3 – 18. It is a constant source of delight to share this journey with families and their children, from the bundles of energy in our Prep to self-aware and impressive young adults in our Senior School. I love the diversity of moving from the Junior School Assembly songs (with actions) to a study period or Biblical Studies lesson with Year 12 and everything in between.

This week, our Library Staff organised a fantastic National Simultaneous Storytime programme for our Prep to Year 2 students. National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 21st successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children’s book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

This year, the book read together was ‘Give Me Some Space‘, Written and Illustrated by Philip Bunting. A beautiful picture book that immediately captured the attention and interest of our little readers!

“Una dreams of a life in Space. Life on Earth is just so so-so. But how will she get there? And will she complete her mission to discover life in Space? And did she remember to feed Neil the goldfish?”

I absolutely enjoyed reading this story to our Prep to Year 2 students and to hearing them express their wonder about space travel, the universe and our planet Earth. Thank you to our Library staff and Junior School teachers for your support of this event, it is one of the highlights in our Library and School Calendar.