Reading for Pleasure –What does this look like

Reading can serve as a form of escapism, allowing readers to escape their daily routine and immerse themselves in a different world. It also helps to reduce stress and improve overall mental health. Reading for pleasure can also improve vocabulary and language skills, increase empathy and understanding of different perspectives, and enhance critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Additionally, reading can stimulate the imagination and creativity, providing a much-needed break from technology and the fast-paced world of school and work. Overall, reading for pleasure is a simple yet powerful tool for personal growth and enrichment that we can all take advantage of.

In recognition of these benefits, Barker Library implements a variety of programs and initiatives that cater to different interests and reading levels to foster a love of reading and encourage all members of the Barker Community to read for leisure.

BookBites is our Year 7 and 8 reading for pleasure program. With a renewed focus on the how and why of reading, we investigate the benefits, myths and feelings towards reading with our students. By creating a nurturing, and positive culture towards reading we are supporting our students towards being successful, happy readers.

Every week students are given the opportunity to talk all things books whilst enjoying some biscuits. Barker Library’s book club, Books and Bikkies runs lunchtime sessions for Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 students, enabling students to inspire one another with their reading journeys, and in turn help promote reading as the fun and enjoyable activity it can be.

Over the Christmas break, staff were invited to REST, RELAX & READ with a personalised Holiday Care Package. Stocked with books, bookmarks and Christmas treats, it was a great way to head into the holidays and staff had all the essentials for a reading for pleasure experience. The Holiday Care Packages will be available to staff in 2023 at the end of Term 2 and 4 so keep a look out for your invitation and let the library take care of all your reading needs.

Constitutional Convention 2022

Year 12 student Boo Whiteley was selected to participate in the NSW Constitutional Convention at NSW Parliament House on 29 November 2022.

Students were given the opportunity to learn about and discuss the Australian Constitution and our system of government. She found the day to be both interesting and informative, and shares her experience here:

Last year I was fortunate enough to attend the Constitutional Convention held at NSW Parliament House alongside other Year 11 Legal Studies students from across the state. Prior to the event, candidates were required to submit a response to the topic, “The appointment, removal and accountability of Ministers is based as much on convention as law. How can we ensure that Ministers are truly accountable to Parliament and the people, and should we move away from convention to strict legal requirements?” Through my research for the response, I was able to learn more about the importance of ministerial roles, in representing the interests of their party as well as the broader community. Additionally, I broadened my understanding of the role of ICAC, an organisation examined within the Legal Studies course and its importance in serving as an independent body, overseeing ministerial conduct. This research served as the foundation of my argument as I uncovered the lack of transparency in Ministers' actions needs to be addressed and could be done so through stricter requirements.

We heard from the speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Jonathon O’Dea as well as Anne Twomey, Professor of Constitutional Law and Director of Constitutional Law Reform Unit. Professor Twomey spoke passionately about the history and importance of the Constitution, with her lecture serving as a catalyst for our group discussions on whether the Constitution is an effective source of law for the appointment and removal of Ministers. The majority of students in my group decided that in order to maintain accountability from Ministers, a stronger emphasis needed to be placed on enforcing a permanent independent body in order to examine and scrutinise the integrity of leaders of the NSW government and thus, increase accountability for all stakeholders. Overall, the day was extremely enlightening. It was an honour to be able to hear from Professor Twomey and discuss matters with a diverse group of individuals.

Boo Whiteley, Year 12

Kate Kempthorne Legal Studies Coordinator