Find out what is happening in our library

Summer Reading books due back

Thanks to everyone who borrowed a stack of books from our library to enjoy over the summer holidays.  If your children haven't already done so, could you please ensure that these books are returned as soon as possible.  Children will need to return these books before issuing new books.

Student Librarians 2019

Once again this year I had heaps of children keen on becoming a student librarian.  Unfortunately I couldn't give everyone a role this year but I encourage children to apply again next year.  I have a great team of fantastic librarians this year and I'm really looking forward to working with them.  Congratulations to:

Full Year Librarians

Reuben Long

YeEun Kim

Talia Weston

Holly Chapman

Olivia Gordon

Lena Abdinor

Holly Grant

Millie Arnst

Piper Stone

Term 1 and 2

Mathew Kane

Logan Gearry

Emma Sevier

Nathan Grant

Erin Gordon

Mila Hubbard

Term 3 and 4

Nathan Allan

Annabel Cooke

Austin Bull

Madeline Begley

Duncan McDonald

Juliette Miller

Patron of Reading

I'm really excited to have our own Patron of Reading for Halswell School this year.  This is an idea that started in the UK and we're one of the first schools in New Zealand to run it.  Our Patron of Reading is an award-winning author from the UK (now living in Christchurch) whose name is Swapna Haddow.  She is the author of the very funny Dave Pigeon series and a new book called Little Rabbit's Big Surprise.  Over the course of the year, Swapna will come and talk to the children about her books and generally encourage a love of books and reading.  She will write an article for our school newsletter once a term and help us with competitions.  In Term 2 we will hold one of our family nights in the library that will be a book launch for Swapna's two latest books.  The Year 5 and 6 children will be meeting Swapna on Thursday this week when she comes to talk about her books.

Scholastic Book Club and Book Fairs

The new Scholastic Book Club flyers will be coming home with your children in the next couple of weeks.  This is a chance to purchase books for your children and support our library at the same time.  Every purchase through the Book Club means that we get rewards points to spend on books for our school.

We hold two Scholastic Book Fairs each year, with the first one being in Week 2 of Term 2. More details will be sent out about this closer to the time.

Hell Pizza Reading Challenge

The Hell Pizza Reading Challenge is also back again this year and is due to start in March.  This is a great promotion, run by Hell Pizza, that gives kids free pizza for reading 7 books.  I've had lots of kids asking about when it is coming back and I hope to have more information in the next newsletter.