Reading is a core competency for all our students and our School Library is set up to support this.

Every student is encouraged to take books out either during weekly class visits (classes up to Year 8), or by choosing books during break-times.

We have books suitable for all ages, right up to age 18 and older. We buy new books every month so the collection is continuously updated and we love getting recommendations from our students for their favourite books.

Our books are grouped into four main categories - picture books and early readers (for new readers), junior fiction (from Year 2), orange dot fiction (from Year 5 and above) and black dot fiction (Year 9 and above). We do this so the words and content are appropriate for each age group.

We have a large non-fiction (factual) collection for the whole school which is read for pleasure as well for research projects. Other collections include biographies, reference books, a focus on Maori history including the Waitangi Treaty, and a small collection for those older readers who prefer a quick book or are reading with dyslexia. To support our library’s collections we also borrow more books from the National Library for specific topics.

The School Library is open from 8.40 to 3pm every school day to provide a safe, welcoming and inspiring place to play, work or just dream.

During break-times students can relax with board games (chess is popular at the moment), puzzles, lego, colouring or simply snuggle on a bean bag with a good book. All years are welcome and it is great to see older students interacting happily with the younger ones. For those in senior school, we have a quieter area for just reading.

Once a year we hold a book fair, open to caregivers and students, with hundreds of brand new books available for purchase. It’s held in Term 3 (end Aug). The library is decorated with a theme, there are fun activities and we hold a dress-up parade for the whole school.

Mrs Parmee runs the Library, Mrs Hunt works during the busy times and we are supported by our wonderful volunteers - Mr Dunlop who shelves all our books along with Mrs Kumar who repairs old books and covers the new ones.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” 

from Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!