We Got These Hats!

Along with the Junior and Preparatory School Libraries, the Arthur Holt Library participated in National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday. NSS aims to promote the value of reading and literacy amongst young Australians in a unique way - every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in schools, libraries, bookshops and other locations across the country.


The book for this year was I Got This Hat by Kate and Jol Temple with illustrations by Jon Foye. The illustrations appeared on the big screen as our School Captain John Bechara read the story to a crowd camped out on cushions including a Year 3 class, the AHL Monitors, teachers and librarians. Everyone was encouraged to wear a hat and there was no shortage of interesting headwear to look at. Thanks to everyone who participated in this feel-good event to highlight the importance of books and reading!

Your Ultimate Reading List! Part 4

Ms. Anagnostopoulos' Top 5 Books To Read Before You Leave School

1. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline 
It's the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place. Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS--a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be. Wade dreams of finding the the series of fiendish puzzles that lie concealed within this virtual world - and the massive fortune and untold power that awaits should he solve them.

2. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Once again, the Earth is under attack. An alien species is poised for a final assault. The survival of humanity depends on a military genius who can defeat the aliens. But who? Ender Wiggin is a brilliant, ruthless, cunning, a tactical and strategic master, and a child. Recruited for military training by the world government, Ender's childhood ends the moment he enters his new home: Battle School. How will Ender perform in real combat conditions? After all, Battle School is just a game. Isn't it?

3. The Hobbitt by J.R.R Tolkien
Bilbo Baggins enjoys a quiet and contented life, with no desire to travel far from the comforts of home; then one day the wizard Gandalf and a band of dwarves arrive unexpectedly and enlist his services - as a burglar - on a dangerous expedition to raid the treasure-hoard of Smaug the dragon. Bilbo's life is never to be the same again.

4. The Rook by Daniel O'Malley
A high-ranking member of a secret organisation that battles supernatural forces wakes up in a London park with no memory, no idea who she is, and with a letter that provides instructions to help her uncover a far-reaching conspiracy.

5. Cloudstreet by Tim Winton
Could you share a haunted house with eight strangers and a talking pig? Well, sometimes you don't get a choice.

TED Week - The WeekThat Was!

The Library hosted this fantastic event this week. Its mission was to promote curiosity, provide entertainment and inspire each of us to “think outside the box”. There was a different theme every day.

Monday was all about positive inspiration with Talks for When You’re Just Done with Earth;

Tuesday provided motivation (and cupcakes!) with Talks to Watch during Breakfast;

Wednesday passed on amazing facts and discoveries with Talks to Inspire Smart Conversation;

Thursday provided (weird) food for thought with The Apocalypse Survival Guide;

Friday promoted a sense of wonder and curiosity with Where Do Ideas Come From?

The guessing competition saw boys developing complex mathematical theorems and asking philosophical questions about just how many snakes can fit into a jar! The TED photo booth was a hit and we had some live TED-talks too. Mr Barnes passed on the secrets of ten-minute meditation, leading students in some effective de-stressing techniques. Ms Anagnostopoulos shared her extensive knowledge of manga, a hugely popular yet often misunderstood art-form. Mr Dixon encouraged students to think outside the box. His selection of weird and wonderful items from some of his many collections were held up for analysis and boys were asked “What on earth is this?”

Overall TED week was a great success, enjoyed by teachers and students alike.  Many thanks to Ms. Mileto who organised the week.