What an amazing week we had in the Junior School for Book Week! We celebrated the joy of reading and we embraced the theme ‘Book an Adventure’. Authors Alison Lester and Lachie Hume presented to our Prep to Year 2 classes, and it was a total delight to host these wonderful authors. Both Alison and Lachie shared the origins of some of their much-loved stories, and Alison also drew some beautiful drawings for us. We were all so grateful that they visited us. Alison and author Lili Wilkinson cut a cake to celebrate the official launch of Book Week and to celebrate the 80th Birthday of the Children’s Book Council of Australia.

Author Jess McGeachin worked with Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 and then presented to Years 3 to 6 in the Lecture Theatre. Our Library Leaders led this session and asked great questions. It was terrific to hear about Jess’ trip to Macquarie Island and his Honour book South with the Seabirds. Jess also discussed the process of his artwork being chosen for the theme ‘Book an Adventure’ and how lovely it was for him to see this work displayed around Australia.

Years 3 and 4 enjoyed a visit from author and illustrator Judith Rossell who demonstrated how to create a maze with a quest, and how to draw an engaging illustration of a character. She shared how she created the artwork for her very popular book The Midwatch. Katrina Nannestad led a writing workshop with each Year 5 and 6 class, where everyone developed a character using strategies that helped them develop interesting details about these characters. She answered our questions about her wonderful books such as All the Beautiful Things and We Are Wolves. 

The Junior School students have listed many highlights of Book Week: sessions with authors, Drop Everything and Read (DEAR), mystery storytellers, competitions, and buddy reading. The dress-up day and the Book Week Assembly were a terrific celebration of award-winning books, creative authors and illustrators, captivating costumes, characters we love, and the importance of reading.

Mrs Celia Hatzipavlis
Junior School Teacher Librarian

From author visits to costume parades, Book Week was packed with memorable moments that brought our school community together.

A standout highlight was the visit from renowned Australian author Lili Wilkinson, who captivated Years 7 and 8 with her engaging talks on the writing process. She shared her love of storytelling and offered practical advice on crafting compelling beginnings, middles, and endings. Students had been reading her novels as part of the Wide Reading program, and her visit brought those stories to life in a powerful way.

Lili also led a writing workshop for Year 9 gifted writers, where students explored advanced planning techniques and collaboratively developed a story arc, setting, character flaws, motivations, and, of course, a satisfying ending. The workshop was a huge success, leaving students inspired and eager to continue developing their craft.

Adding to the excitement was our Book Week Dress-Up Day on Monday 18 of August, where the entire Senior School embraced the theme, ‘Book an Adventure,’ with enthusiasm and flair. From classic literary characters to imaginative interpretations, the creativity on display was outstanding. Students paraded at Assembly and prizes were awarded for the most well-executed costumes. At lunchtime Lili praised our students for their inventive and detailed costumes. Lunchtime fun continued with music, more prizes, and activities run by our Year 11 Literature Captains which made the day even more special. 

Book Week 2025 was a joyful reminder of the power of books to spark curiosity, creativity, and connection. Thank you to our dedicated staff for getting into the spirit of the day, and all the students who made it such a success. 

Miss Alexia Gibbons
Senior School Teacher Librarian