As we reflect on the year so far, it’s exciting to see how much has changed and how much we’ve embraced together as a school community. One of the biggest changes this year has been welcoming girls into the Year 7 cohort. This co-educational shift has brought with it a fresh energy, new perspectives, and the beginning of new friendships. It’s been wonderful to see the boys and girls come together in the library for both quiet reading time and lively discussions!

Speaking of reading, the library has seen an influx of new books this year. In response to our growing number of avid readers, we've been working hard to expand our collection with a wide variety of texts to suit every interest. From thrilling mysteries to inspiring biographies and fantasy adventures, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to stop by and check out the latest additions – we are confident you’ll find something that sparks your interest!

In addition to all the exciting reading opportunities, our GRC Homework Centre continues to be a popular and valuable resource. Every Monday after school, students are invited to come to the library for some quiet time to focus on their homework, get support, or just enjoy a productive environment until 4:00 pm. It’s a great place to work and get help if you need it.

Throughout the year, we’ve also had the privilege of celebrating significant events and important cultural moments. We marked International Women’s Day, honouring the achievements of women around the world and reflecting on the importance of gender equality. During Ramadan and Lent, we learned about and respected the spiritual practices and traditions that are important to many in our school community. Harmony Week was another highlight, where we celebrated our rich diversity and the importance of inclusion, respect, and unity.

One event that continues to inspire students each year is the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC). This year, the challenge opened on Monday, 24 February 2025 and will run until Friday, 22 August 2025. The PRC is all about encouraging students to read for fun and to explore a wide range of quality literature. It’s not a competition, but rather a personal challenge for each student to read more and read more widely. Whether you’re into fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or graphic novels, there are plenty of books to discover and enjoy as part of the challenge.

We are proud to congratulate Oscar Kwun from Year 10 2024, who was awarded second prize in the Years 7-10 section of the Sam Lewis Peace Prize. His entry, which explored the theme "What does Peace look like to you?", featured a poignant visual presentation of his family’s road trip to the Victorian coast, including the 12 Apostles. Oscar received a certificate and a $100 gift card for his thoughtful and insightful work. Congratulations, Oscar!

As the year progresses, let’s continue to celebrate the power of reading and learning together. Whether you’re using the library for homework, browsing new books, or joining in on school-wide events, there’s always something happening in our library. Let’s make the rest of the year just as exciting, inclusive, and full of reading adventures as the first part has been!

Happy reading!

Nisrene Kourouche I Head Teacher English/LoTE/Library