In the spirit of Book Week, our campus came alive with a whirlwind of vibrant and thrilling activities with Early Learning and Primary School Book Character Parades.
Our youngest learners enjoyed a Book Character Parade in their Bibliothèque, with a reading of the delightful book and winner of the CBCA Book of the Year Award ‘Where the Lyrebird Lives’ by Year 12 Bibliothèque Leader Eve Moss-Ractliffe. While our Primary School Book Character Parade provided a visual treat for parents, who watched from Kelly Street as students showcased their array of creative and colourful costumes inspired by all things literary.
“Book Week is about so much more than dressing up. It’s about sharing a joy of books and reading, but it’s also chance to broaden students’ horizons, linking the written word to the world beyond the classroom. Storytelling events and author visits can inspire students to explore their own creativity by providing them with tangible examples of what is possible. Hearing authors talk about the challenges they faced along the way can help students make the connection between success and resilience and the power of seeing mistakes as an opportunity to try something new.” Patrice Marchbank, Director of the Bibliothèque
To encourage reading for pleasure, we hosted a Book Fair in the Bibliothèque. Parents and carers were able to visit and discover a selection of quality titles curated by children’s book specialists Bloomin’ Books and Better Read than Dead. It is no surprise that readers engage more deeply and for longer periods when they choose their own books. This is as true for adults as it is for young readers.
Students also spent time with magical visiting authors, inspiring children as part of our Book Week celebrations. Year 7 and 8 had their own literary treat with a visit from an award-winning young adult author Will Kostakis. Will shared his insights about the writing journey, the sometimes-bumpy road to becoming an author and creative process with students.
Author Jenny Ellis presented a mesmerising shadow puppet performance for students from Kindergarten to Year 2 called The Owl’s Apprentice…a young owl learning to become wise. Ellis captivated students with her storytelling artistry, igniting their curiosity with an enchanting world of shadows and light.
Students in Years 3 to 6 were visited by author visit by Mark Greenwood, whose tales of exploration have inspired readers of all ages. Hearing the inspiration behind his stories left the students eager to delve deeper into the world of creative non-fiction.
“Book Week is a time we set aside each year to acknowledge how stories shape us. The students at IGS are fortunate to have books around them and people who love books around them each day. This is no small thing. It must be said that the biggest things are sometimes the least noticeable, so during Book Week we take time to point at the books and stories which we love and share. We celebrate our stories, we celebrate our books, and we get a little silly about it all.” Christopher Linton, Teacher Librarian (Primary Coordinator)
The spirit with which students, staff and parents embraced our Book Week celebrations was testament to the power of stories and the joy of reading shared by our IGS community. As the final chapter of Book Week come to an end we hope that memories of these magical moments continue to inspire a love of all things literary.