Congratulations to Michelle Summerfield and Liz James and their team of staff and student librarians for their great work with our library.
Our library is in the heart of our school and is a welcoming, inclusive, inspiring place to learn in and spend time. Student voice and leadership is encouraged and it's a great venue that showcases various causes and national themes across the year.
In June, a report was published by the Ministry of Education and School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (SLANZA) highlighting the positive impact a well-supported library can have for learners and the wider school community.
Our school was one of the featured libraries and we were involved in the study and interviews. 13 schools were selected throughout New Zealand who were identified as having "successful school libraries."
In regard to the outcomes from having a successful school library, the common themes among interviewees, including librarians, students, teachers and principals, were as follows:
- Improved reading, writing and digital literacy
- Development of research skills
- Development of knowledge beyond academic learning such as leadership, mentoring and other skills
- A sense of wellbeing, belonging and community amongst students.
The full report can be read here.