Resilience – we kept hearing it through 2021. Probably because we all have needed to draw on reserves with a year full of happenings and uncertainty. Our students have certainly shown resilience and in the Library there has been a distinct air of ‘head down and just get on with it.’

During Term 1 we all had our fingers crossed the year would progress through in a ‘normal’ way. Which it did, of course, until Term 3. Following lockdown, for the first few weeks, we had limited numbers in the Library and entry at morning tea and lunch was restricted to senior students studying or anyone choosing books. Students were unanimously co-operative with these sometimes irksome barriers to their usual visits and we were so impressed with the community attitude and care they showed.

Poetry Day during the first term was a great success with students flocking in to write mostly-rhyming couplets – and getting a cupcake in return! There were some very clever, and hilarious, compositions.

Sucking on a nectarine / Sour, yet so saccharine - Evangelyn

If you believe in circular flow and that government spending helps the economy grow

Or that minimum wage helps those who are low, then there is little about economics that you know - Oliver

They always complained she was on her phone / But she smirked, she felt she was on her throne - Jhetro

I bathe in the glorious sun’s rays / Enjoying the light of the new day - Isaac

The morning blooms quite elegantly with a soft blushing sky / But I stay unknowing at rest, eyelids on both sleepy eyes - Zoe

Anime Girl

Your silver straight hair and violet eye / But you’re 2D, I have to say ‘Goodbye.’ - Mana

Roses are red, violets are not blue / They are actually violet, learn your colours, Dude!

Outside, quotes from poets around the world were chalked on the quad by students and teachers.

We were very fortunate during the year to have a donation from a prize won by E Wen Wong, 2020 Head Girl. The National Schools Poetry Award is a very prestigious award and we were able to buy a fabulous collection of poetry, short story and non-fiction books from the donation. Congratulations and thanks to E Wen for this wonderful opportunity.

A new visitor to the Library is an art installation which is on display at BHS before travelling to other schools in the region. This replica of a piece of the Berlin Wall has been decorated by Christchurch school students and artists.

Helping to keep the Library running smoothly are the wonderful volunteers. Most days, a volunteer from our Parent community comes in and shelves books returned since the previous day. Over the course of a year this means around 18,000 books are returned to shelves by these willing helpers. This help from the community is invaluable to the Library staff and enables us to work with students and complete other tasks.

Students also play a huge part in the efficient running of the Library with Student Librarians and Year 13 volunteers doing a fantastic job. Each of the five Student Librarian teams is rostered for one day each week. These conscientious students run the circulation desk and other duties during intervals and lunchtimes, ably led by their Team Leaders and Deputies who put a great amount of time and effort into training team members in the different tasks they perform. Peer Tutors come in during four lunchtimes each week and are available to help students with study questions. We also have Year 13 students to help supervise in the computer Learning Lab and keep the Bagstore safe during lunchtimes. A large number of senior students give their time and energy in service to the school and are fabulous role models for all of us.

I would especially like to thank the wonderful team of Library staff - Annie Boardman, Hilary Grinter and Hilary Wilson for the energy and professionalism they show every day and the friendly, caring way they work with students and staff. We are very lucky to have such a dedicated, passionate team.

Have a great Christmas break everyone and our very best wishes to students who are leaving for new challenges.

Kia kaha, kia mau, kia haere tonu

Sally Stanley-Boden

Library Manager