End of Term 4 2022

 Just a quick last post to wish you all a wonderful Christmas with family & friends as well as a fantastic New Year. 

For those of you who are leaving us - all the best in your new endeavours! 

For the rest of you - we'll see you all back here in 2023 to do it all again - and here's hoping that it will be a much better year! 

At this point, I am not planning to continue with this blog as I don't feel that I am providing a service to you all with this. It's been a good run for the last 11 years and I have learnt a lot in the process - and for that, I thank you all. 

Enjoy your break - and remember to take time to READ!  

2021 finally coming to an end!

 We made it - and survived!  Well, I think we did anyway?  

It has been a tough year in SO many ways - and I'd like to thank everyone who has been there and helped to make it all work.  I truly appreciate the support. 

Time for you all to spend the next few weeks relaxing and getting ready for whatever 2022 brings us.  (To be honest, I think that maybe we need to view the Terms and Conditions before we accept it!)  

Remember to take the time to READ!  It is relaxing AND research shows that it lowers the blood pressure.  Besides - the Dinosaurs didn't read, and look what happened to them!  Why take the chance?? 

For those of you moving on from here, I wish you all the best wherever you go and for those of you staying on, I'll see you all back here next year to do it all again.  

Merry Christmas and the best of everything to you all!  

End of Term 3

Here we are - end of term 3.  That has come around quickly.  

Wishing everyone a relaxing and enjoyable break - lots of recharging so you will be all ready to come back and dive into term 4!  

See you then - and carry on being your awesome selves!!

End of Semester

Okay - you have had 9 weeks with no posts from me - but I can't let the Semester end without SOMETHING!  

So .. enjoy the break and we'll do this all over again next term/semester.  

Carry on being your awesome selves.  

Holiday Time

Three weeks break coming up!!  Yippee!!

Have a wonderful, relaxing time - take it easy, rejuvenate and make the most of it, wherever you are and whatever you are doing.  

Also, make some time to READ - it's great for the blood pressure according to research.  

Carry on being your awesome selves!

Hello Semester 2

Well, I hope you all had a good break because - scary thought ... we are more than halfway through the year already!  Second semester is no longer hovering on the horizon - we've hit the deck running!  

The Library carpet was replaced with a vinyl flooring during the holidays, but somehow they managed to run out of vinyl BEFORE getting to my office.  Now the cupboards that were pulled out so the flooring could go down are sitting outside the door of my office, the drawers from the cupboards are in store rooms, or stacked in corners of my office waiting for the rest of it to be done ... and the stuff I carefully packed 'safely' away in said cupboards is who knows where!  And this includes my barcode reader!  (I should have thought that one through a bit better!!)

However ... you can't rush these things - and it will look pretty snazzy once it is all done, shelves moved, everything back in place - or a new place ... and maybe a compactus to store ALL sorts of stuff neatly away in the office.  

Term 3 always seems to be the busiest for the year and this one is no exception, it appears. Careers Expo, Sports Day, School Formal, Opera Australia .... and along with everything else happening, the Desert Harmony festival kicks off next week with a multitude of things happening throughout the town.  

Anyhow enjoy the start of Term 3 - and carry on being your usual awesome selves!

Literature Quiz and the End of Term

Below is a link to paste in that should take you to a literature quiz which is all things book related - and lots of 'really??' moments.  
Have a try - and I would be interested to know how you went.  The best I could manage was 26 - and out of 50 that's not really good.  (I think it is a pass though??)

http://forreadingaddicts.co.uk/quizzes/great-big-literature-quiz/16503

The holiday break is on the horizon with lots of down time and recharging of batteries happening, I hope.  

Don't forget to include some non-work related reading in there as well.   It's great for your health as it's relaxing and lowers the blood pressure - and a bit of time out in a nice little fantasy world of some sort is always good for the soul.

Make it a good one! 

End of School year for 2016.

Just a quick post to wish you all a fantastic end of term break and to thank you all for your support during these last few weeks of term.

For those of you who are moving on, I wish you all the best wherever you may be next year - and everyone else - I'll see you back here next year!

Make sure you have a relaxing break and definitely spend time reading!!  It could be considered a matter of survival! 

Remember - Dinosaurs didn't read and now they're extinct! Coincidence - I think not!!

All jokes aside - have an awesome Christmas and we'll do it all over again next year.  

TV4ED, LMS and Holiday break.

The new LMS system is running quite well - although keeping the student data up to date is an 'interesting' exercise. However, so far, we are on top of it and all is good.

The trial period for the new TV4ED plus has been extended, so I am hoping that you manage to get an hour or so to give it a whirl during the holidays - although I do realise that is probably a bit unfair - asking you to work on our last short break before Term 4.  
So, on that note - I'll just wish you a VERY relaxing, albeit very short break and hope you make the most of it doing as you wish.

Aside from that - just carry on being your awesome selves as always.

Holiday Break coming up!!

Thank you for all your resource returns, and patience with my grouchiness. 

Next term will see a new Library Management System in operation, which should be miles better than our poor 20 year system that battles along with us every week - so the start back will be BUSY!

Enjoy a lovely, relaxing break - and don't forget to include LOADS of recreational reading.  It lowers the blood pressure, calms the mind - and, well it's just good for you.  Snuggle up with a blanket, hot chocolate and just forget about everything for a while.  The real world will come knocking on your door soon enough, so make the most of it.

See you all back next term

End of 2015

Okay folks - end of 2015 and now a six week break!

 It has been a busy year all round with lots happening and I think everyone is looking forward to the break coming up.

Thanks for all the fun, laughter and support throughout the year.  It has been awesome.

Farewell to the staff leaving us and wishing you all the best wherever you go.  

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all. 

Special Days

Just so you know, today is the International Day of Peace and also World Gratitude Day. What are you all grateful for today?
 
Thursday 24th September is Punctuation Day - probably a good one for English teachers and Friday 25th September is World Dream Day - a good day to start working on making your dreams a reality, whatever they are, even if it is just by figuring out where you need to start.  Doesn't this sound like PLP and Dream boards?

And just a couple more ready for next term - Wednesday 14th October is World Maths Day and Saturday 24th October is Make a Difference Day - which is a day designated for service - whether you start or join in with a big project, or just help out wherever you can in your community.

These days may be something that you can use in your planning - or just something to know about.

Either way - carry on with being amazing - and remember - it is week 10!!  A weeks break coming up - now there's something to be grateful for.
 

Deadlines and Mad Hatters.

Well, end of week 9 - just one more week to go to the term break - and although a week doesn't seem long enough, I think most people are going to enjoy a little downtime.  Term 3 always seems the busiest somehow. 

Senior classes are battling the last assignments with deadlines looming everywhere  and teachers are pouring in just as much effort, if not more, to help them get through, and everyone is getting just a little frazzled and frayed around the edges.   

Maybe we should start off term 4 with a Mad Hatters Day?  This is actually a recognised day to celebrate, believe it or not - which was started by a bunch of computer technicians who had nothing better to do.  The benefits of this day of silliness were immediately seen - not only because they caused less damage than if they had been doing their jobs, but also because of the side effects of less stress and tension if only for a day.  Sometimes being a little silly just helps to smooth out the ripples.  Mad Hatters Day is usually celebrated on October 6th, which is about when we return to school.  

Silly hats, riddles and cupcakes could be the order of the day, maybe with a prize for the weirdest hat or best unanswered riddle?  Or maybe some Minute to Win It games and competitions? It could be good for all our sanity, as I have been noticing a lot of ruffled feathers everywhere.  (Even mine have been fluffed up every now and then, and we all know what a sweet person I am!!)

Anyway, just my two cents thought for the  day and more 'Special' days to come next post.

Have a great weekend - and just think, last week of term starts on Monday - we can do this!

Holiday break coming up.

Well, here we are - last day of Semester one - and it has been a busy one.  Everyone is ready for this break, staff and students.

Just a reminder to have all resources back at home in the Library for the 4 week break - both they and I will be much happier about that.

As a thought for the start of Semester Two, I came across a few special days....
On the 20th July, it will be Space Exploration Day, 30th July will be Paperback Book Day and the 1st Aug is World Wide Web Day.  The last one should be easy to celebrate - we just do what we always do, I guess.   

Chances are this is the kittens last day as they should go to their new homes during the holiday break - so anyone who wants a last cuddle, today is it. They would like to express their thanks for being so welcomed here.

Wishing you all a safe, enjoyable and relaxing break.  Make sure you include the time to curl up with a good coffee and an awesome book.  After all, recreational reading lowers the blood pressure and calms the mind.

Look forward to seeing you all in four weeks time to do this all over again. 

Last Day of term

Well, it is here at last - last day of term for 2014.  We seem to have been waiting for this all year, or so some of the students have told me anyway.  They looked a little taken aback when I pointed out that the staff had been waiting as well.

My main news for this post is that the digital system for the DVDs is almost ready to go so when you all start back, you will be able to access what you need directly through the computer.  I have had a few people test it for me and it all seems to be running smoothly, so Kate can take you through it next year. I think you will find it really easy to use.

I seem to have been trying to get a post up for most of this last month - and now that we are at this point, I am just going to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year break and hope you spend it relaxing and enjoying family and friends, and that you all return refreshed and ready for 2015. Don't forget to include some reading in your plans.

Have an awesome holiday.  All the best to you all and whatever you do, have fun!

Websites of interest

I came across these websites on the Teacher Librarian's Listserv and thought that they may be of some use to class room teachers. They have been highly recommended by a number of teachers and library staff around the country, so are worth a look at least.

http://appsineducation.blogspot.com.au/ which is a site that looks at the apps on offer and posts a review about them. It says ‘One of the hardest things with using the iPad in the classroom is finding the time to go through all of the apps in the iTunes Store listed under the education banner. We have started to list some of the apps we've found under each of the Key Learning Areas.”

http://learningwithipads.blogspot.com.au/  - a blog by a Catholic school in Sydney about their experiences and ideas in using iPads with their students.

Well, last day of term is here and a weeks break is waiting for us all - but then Term 4 is looming on the horizon. 
So enjoy your week, relax, revive and of course, spend some time getting that life/work balance right and READING.

Reading Hour and Holidays

August 19^th from 6-7pm is the day and time set for The Reading Hour, which is an event that grew from the National Year of Reading 2013. William McInnes has been announced as the ambassador for the 2014 event.
 
Check out this link for more information:

 

http://www.love2read.org.au/
 

This could be an ideal time to promote reading in the classroom or at home. Personally, I would think that it doesn’t have to actually run from 6pm onwards, but at a time that is convenient. Maybe a read-in evening, a shared story-telling activity, a morning or afternoon tea with pages read from favourite books, a book and bookmark swap…. anyone have other suggestions? Maybe we could make this a Library event?

 
On a high note, I have recently had a win with getting a handful of very reluctant readers with their noses in books. They hadn't come across 'Choose your Own' novels before, and it looks like we are going to need some more because they have read almost all we have in the Library - in the last 3 days! Lots of time has been spent sprawled on my office floor reading and sharing books, or searching the shelves for more books.  And isn't that what it is all about?

 With school holidays coming up in a couple of days, and cold, windy, miserable weather outside, it sounds like it is the perfect time to snuggle up with a hot chocolate and a BIG pile of reading material. Get some of that work/life balance happening and enjoy some downtime. 

Wishing you all a wonderful mid-year break, and let’s do it all again next semester.

Counting Down!

Well, 2nd last week of school and counting down! All down now to shelf checking, locating resources, sorting out AV equipment and chasing up staff and students for their last bit of borrowed items.

Miss Mckenna has put up a grand display of students life plan goal boards which were designed and made during PLP classes this term.  They look great and thank you Miss Mckenna for taking care of the displays this semester!

We have had a few new books arrive for the Lee Cook Collection which are now catalogued and on display.  The one which has become popular with students is all about different types of papercrafts - everything from origami to making gift boxes.

A gentle reminder inserted here to please return your borrowed items sooner rather than later so there isn't a mad dash on the last day.

Enjoy your holidays and make sure to spend some of your well-earned break kicked back, relaxing and READING! 

Wishing all of you an awesome Christmas and all the best wherever you plan to be next year.

History and Holidays

I came across this on the Teacher Librarian listserv the other day and thought I would put up the link as it may catch someone's interest.

Some of the data was interesting in how things have changed over the years.  From the days of books chained to the shelves to todays mobile libraries being delivered on phones and computers which requires little effort, it is a whole new ball game out there.

Most of our work now isn't about guarding shelves of dusty tomes, as well as being decapitated and ripped to pieces on the steps of the library while defending it - but about finding, curating and providing access to all sorts of information.

I am not sure whether to be nostalgic or relieved......

http://librarysciencelist.com/libraries-of-the-future-visualization/

Wishing you all a safe and happy 4 week school holidays. 

Libraries of the Future

Well, 2 weeks to go - and the holidays will be here. Who's counting, I wonder?

Below are a few links I recently came across that may be of interest of some of you.  Have a look, and maybe check out some of the links that I haven't added.  Most of these were found on a blog called TeachThought.  It is rather American, but don't let that put you off checking out some of the ideas on offer.

http://www.teachthought.com/trends/elearning/15-free-learning-tools-youve-probably-never-heard-of/

http://www.teachthought.com/trends/10-ways-the-library-of-the-future-will-be-different/

http://www.teachthought.com/technology/on-teacher-comfort-zones-pirates-using-qr-codes-in-the-classroom/

http://www.teachthought.com/learning/6-channels-of-21st-century-learning/

Have a look and see what you think.