Beyond the Books A Look Inside Our Library

Our love of the library extends beyond books. Once you pass the entrance, you’re transported into a world of possibility where critical thinking combines with creativity to spark imagination and ignite a love of learning.

Reading between the lines

Whether you’re in the Junior School or the Senior College, the CCGS library is known as an open, inviting and inclusive space, offering something for everyone.

In the Middle School, Years 7 – 9 have had a specific focus on literacy. The library surveyed students on their reading styles, habits and preferences enabling them to tailor their approach and promote deep learning.

“This process has allowed us to connect with students individually and helped foster their thirst for knowledge. If I get new books now, I know who to earmark them for or who to suggest them to. These personal connections make all the difference!”

Thinking outside the book

Recent enhancements to the online digital library have opened a doorway to thousands more books than could never be housed physically.

other multimedia content for a comprehensive learning opportunity.

“As they get older, students are taught information skills so that they can easily navigate our digital library and critically select their own sources for use across the curriculum.

“It has also meant that students who have dyslexia or other learning needs have greater access to information in different formats, whether that be physical, audio or visual – enhancing and extending their learning.”

A novel idea

a different opportunity to discover new authors and genres, with the mission to mark off an entire row for a prize.

The Creative Book Challenge used intriguing prompts such as ‘A book that was written by someone under 30’ or ‘A book becoming a TV series’ to get students reading.

‘Shhh’-aring space

More than a source of storytelling or information gathering, the library is a haven for students to connect, even after the school day is done.

Head of Library and

Information Services,

Mrs Nadia Merchant said, “An interesting finding was that, for some students, one of the only times they read is in the library. We saw this as a unique opportunity to ignite and extend their love of reading.”

“We restructured our teaching to allow for dedicated reading times and have combined this with suggestions of books for each student based on their previous reading.

“Our extended online digital library, with two additional eBook platforms, means we can curate texts for extended learning opportunities.

“Sources can be collated for our students in a range of broad subject areas. In Religion of the World for example, we have curated a centralised page with links to online resources for each different religion, as well as video and

Masters of creativity, the library team are always dreaming up unique initiatives to keep students involved in literature.

Valentine’s Day was also Library Lovers Day where students were invited to go on a blind date with a book, giving a new meaning to the saying ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’.

In Book Bingo students picked a number tile which corresponded to an extract of a book. Each tile represented

On average 100 students from the Junior School to the Senior College venture through the doors each afternoon.

“It’s a safe, quiet space where our students can read, do homework and study. During break times, children from different peer groups interact, help each other and engage in games, all overseen by our dedicated teacher librarians,” Mrs Merchant said.