2018- 19 Term 3 - Trinity
Week 40 - 24 to 28 June
Congratulations to the following students who borrowed the most books in their grade for the years:
- Year 7 - Alvin Zong
- Year 8 - Charlotte Johnson
- Year 9 - Nina Fuller
- Year 10 - Lidian Cheong
- Year 11 - Roice Soo
- Year 12- Linda Ding
Making use of the audiobook library over the holidays
The verdict is in - students are loving having access to our new ebook & audiobook platform! Get on board before the end of school year break starts and get sorted for a great summer of books!
Time for a little readaxation!
I recently came across this interesting concept and with the summer break on our doorstep, this would be a great time to consider it.
https://www.nicolamorgan.com/the-reading-brain/what-is-readaxation/
https://www.nicolamorgan.com/the-reading-brain/what-is-readaxation/
What is readaxation?
(Readaxation) is the act of reading for pleasure as a deliberate strategy for relaxing stress levels. It acknowledges that relaxation is not a luxury but an essential part of physical and mental wellbeing and health. crucially includes the act of achieving “flow” or “engagement“, which has positive consequences for reducing stress levels and improving wellbeing.
https://natlib.govt.nz/schools/reading-engagement/summer-reading/families-keeping-your-child-or-teen-reading-over-summer
Summer Reading Lists
88 books to enjoy this summer: the TED reading list
The 25 Best New Books to Add to Your Summer Reading List
The Mental Floss Summer Reading List: 27 Books to Read in Summer 2019
Week 39 - 17 to 21 June
Beat the summer slide
There is a slide that is associated with summer, and it has nothing do with fun. The summer slide refers to the dip kids tend to make during the summer months when they are away from school and the daily habits of studying and learning.
Encouraging students to read over the summer is an important focus at this time of year.
Summer Reading Incentive
Over the past two of years, we have tried a couple of incentive programmes to encourage students to read widely over the break. The buy-in rate of these programmes has not been as high as we would have liked. After reading If Kids Can’t Read What They Want in the Summer, When Can They? , about the benefits of allowing kids to read what they want over the summer, I decided to develop a summer reading incentive which will encourage our students to do just that.
Our new library assistant, Sue Ing Tan, was a graphic designer prior to taking up her position here. So we are planning to use her skills to help students visually preserve a record of what they read over the summer.
Students are asked to keep a list of what they are reading which they will submit after the break and Sue will design a gorgeous poster showcasing the titles read by students who have shown commitment to their reading.
BorrowBox
This week we have been heavily promoting our new ebook and audiobook platform and it has been great to see the interest students are showing in it. As the instructions on the slide above indicate, signing up for BorrowBox is very simple and we hope this will provide our students with the reading material they need over the summer. Detailed information about doing this can be accessed here.
BorrowBox is an easy to use platform that allows you to select and download ebooks and eAudiobooks to your computer or any mobile device. Powered by Bolinda Digital, BorrowBox has a wide selection of titles including latest releases and best sellers for readers of all ages.
Parent access to BorrowBox:
BorrowBox can be opened by the same users simultaneously on 6 devices making it a viable for parents to use with their kids. In order to access BorrowBox, a parent simply needs to log into their child's account and use the same login details - for up to 6 different devices.
Remember to return the book as soon as you have finished using it as each user can only borrow 2 eBooks & 2 eAudiobooks at any one time.
The benefits of audiobooks
Click here to read the science behind why listening to books is just as beneficial as reading them.
"Comparing audio books to cheating is like meeting a friend at Disneyland and saying 'you took a bus here? I drove myself, you big cheater.' The point is getting to and enjoying the destination. The point is not how you traveled." Hear, hear.
Further information about the benefits of audiobooks click here or to here view infographics which summarize the reasons why we need to encourage our students to listen to audiobooks.
Our final Coffee & Conversations for the year!
Our Coffee & Conversations With An Author have been an amazing success. The initial thinking behind this initiative was to nurture the strong reading culture here at DCSG by getting parents more involved with the Senior School Library.
Click here to read more about all the author's who have taken part in the series this year.Pip Harry, was our last Coffee & Conversations With an Author for this school year, was a fabulous speaker. Pip, who lives here in Singapore with family and currently works as Editor for ANZA, shared the journey which her to write her award-winning books for children and young adults.
Pip shared this lovely book trailer for her new book The LIttle Wave below. I am looking forward to sharing this with our students as it is such a good model for a book trailer and will be great example for them to use when they are making their own,
Thank you to Friends of Dulwich - and in particular, Victoria Walder
We are very grateful to FOD for the support we have been given this year with the Coffee & Conversations events. The coffee, tea pastries provided for each talk lent a lovely relaxed sense of informality and make each session feel special.
The person I particularly want to thank is Victoria Walder who put up her hand to liaise with us in the library and proceeded to direct all the backend work including advertising, catering and a myriad of other tasks which ensured a qualityexperience for all involved every time.
Sadly she is returning to the UK but as someone with a keen sense of attention to detail combined with her incredible ability to follow through on everything, Victoria has organised a wonderful team to carry on the organisation for the Coffee & Conversations next year.
Thanks so much to Manisah Kumar who will continue to the communication for each event and to Lynsey Gagie and Santha McCoy who will also assist with the organisation. All these ladies have been regular attendees of the Coffee & Conversations so I am really looking forward to continuing to work with them on this next year.
We actually have quite a number of great authors lined up for next year, so rest assured that we will be getting back into swing fairly soon after school returns in August.
Last reminder to get your copy of Fight or Flight by Dulwich Parent Dana Bachar Grossman
Dana will be our first author in our Coffee & Conversation's series next year - date TBC.
However, Dana's recently published book, Fight or Flight?: The survival guide for flying with is one that you might want to buy before her talk. In fact, you might want to buy it very soon, if (as I am sure most of you are) you will be flying with your children over the summer break! The book does exactly what it says on the tin
Available on Amazon for only $3.01 Kindle version or the paperback version for $19.97, this book is very entertaining and highly informative.
Asian Festival of Children's Content - Early Bird Festival Passes (from 1 June - 31 July 2019)
Illustration: The artwork is by our guest illustrator Sai Parn Hein, an established children’s writer, cartoonist, and translator hailing from the Shan region in Myanmar.
Enjoy early bird rates of 25% off regular prices from 1st June to 31st July! Limited early bird festival passes are available for secondary and tertiary students at $50 only!
The Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) celebrates its 10th edition this year with the theme Diversity. Enjoy over 70 sessions featuring more than 80 local and international speakers! Check out our programs for writers, illustrators, publishers, librarians, media professionals, and many more!
For teachers and parents, check out our two-day programme from 6 - 7 September that focuses on developing literacy, reading, and language skills for children. Attend lectures, panels, workshops, and much more!
AFCC 2019 is proud to showcase Myanmar as the Country of Focus, with programmes lined up to celebrate our neighbour’s literary and cultural heritage.
Thank you lunch for parent volunteers
The library team is so lucky to have so many library volunteers and supporter. It was great to be able to show our gratitude at lunch today. Without their assistance and support we would not be able to achieve what we do in the libraries.
Reading Ambassadors @ Junior School Leadership Fair
Following on from our Year 6 Library Transition lesson, some of our reading ambassadors volunteered their time at the Junior School Leadership Fair this week. Providing information about life in the Senior School.
Visting Speaker - Eunice Olsen
We were excited to welcome Eunice Olsen (poet, author, actor, pianist, former MP, businesswoman, video producer and presenter, beauty pageant entrant ... and so much more!) to the College as part of our Enrichment Day programme this week to work with our year 7s and consult with our Gender Equality Group. Such a fruitful interchange of ideas and lots of plans going forward about ways we continue to collaborate with Eunice and her team.
Return your books!
With only one week of school left, it is concerning that we still have 276 overdue books out and many more textbooks. In order to avoid receiving an invoice for the value of these books, please help your children locate these books and return them to the library by Monday.
Looking for lost library books - maybe this clever little video will help you find them!
Week 38 - 10 to 17 June
Exciting new ebook and audiobook platform - in time for the holidays!
Our Library Team is excited to announce the launch of BorrowBox in time for the summer break. Borrowbox is an easy to use platform which allows patrons to select and download ebooks and audiobooks to their computers or mobile devices. Powered by Bolinda, BorrowBox has a wide selection of titles including the latest releases and best sellers of all ages.
At this time of year our thoughts turn to ways to assist our students to avoid the summer slide (the decline in reading ability and other academic skills that can occur over the summer months when school is not in session) and we believe this new online platform provides families on the move a perfect strategy to help their kids continue their learning journey while they are on vacation.
For information about the benefits of audiobooks click here or to here view infographics which summarize the reasons why we need to encourage our students to listen to audiobooks.
Eunice Olsen Visit - Wednesday 19 June
As part of our Enrichment Day next week, Eunice Olsen (author, actor, host, pianist, founder and executive producer of Eunice Olsen Media), will be here in the Senior School Library to work with our Year 7 students.
Eunice created the International Emmy Nominated series WomenTalk TV, an online interview program featuring unsung ‘sheroines’ in Asia.
In 2018, Eunice published her first children’s book ‘I’m a Girl. See what I can be!’, a series of poems inspired by the lives of women she’s interviewed on WomenTalk. Most suitable for children aged 6 to 13, “I’m a Girl. See what I can be!” written by our founder, is a series of poems for children, featuring stories of courage and inspiration based on the real-life stories of 10 inspirational Asian women that have been featured on WomenTalk. The book is illustrated by 10 differently abled artists and the design and layout is by Hatch Design. It celebrates the lives of everyday extraordinary women from around Asia and are role models for young girls and boys, to encourage them to not give up when facing adversity and be who they want to be.
Copies of Eunice's book will be available at lunchtime for $18.60 on Wednesday, 19 June in the Senior School Library - see the letter below for details. Students can talk with Eunice and have their books signed. Click here for more information about the book.
Pip Harry Coffee & Conversation - Slight change of time from 8:45am to 9:30am next Thursday 20 June.
This change of time is to allow parents who have signed up for the BYOD session being run by our Head of Senior School, Dr Aitkins and Jay Thompson , to attend both sessions. This is our final Coffee & Conversations for the year and promises to be a great one. so make sure you don't miss it. Click here for more information about Pip and her writing.
'Fight or Flight' by Dana Bachar Grossman
Dana Bachar Grossman will be making a cameo appearance at next week's Coffee & Conversations to give parents the low down on her book just in case you want to buy a copy before you fly out for summer.
Available on Amazon for only $3.01 Kindle version or the paperback version for $19.97, this book is very entertaining and highly informative.
Dana is a bestselling author, a public speaker and an expat mom of four boys who has traveled to five continents, 49 countries and has lived in Singapore for the last nine years. She is constantly on the move either enriching her experience as an avid traveler or chauffeuring her boys endlessly from place-to-place as “Mama Uber”.
Dana, an international mediator, and a negotiation trainer, has been blessed with an innate ability to see things as a “matter-of-fact” while bringing a fresh, optimistic solution to any situation. She is a proponent of open communication and empathy and has been guiding families for over 25 years to use these tools to resolve even the most critical disputes.
Dana founded “MeD8” and “Reaching Hearts- Giving Back” with a mission to motivate people to be effective- empathetic communicators which, in turn, has contributed to our community’s greater good.
In her spare time, she loves to do stand up comedy with the goal of not only raising funds for various charities she is a part of but also inspiring others to be their best self through the use of language we all understand - laughter.
P.S.By purchasing this book, you are part of a bigger global cause! 10% of this book’s profits are donated to support less fortunate children, providing them with their basic needs of shelter, food and education.
Learn more about her work at www.danastipsforparents.com.
Time to return your library and textbooks
We've come to that stage of the year when borrowing has ceased and we are sendiing overdue reminders and busyily getting all the books back prior to the summer break. Catching the attention of our patrons when what we have to say is not what they want to hear can be difficult, so I am employing an attention seeking method to get my message across. Hopefully it will work but please help your kids locate their overdue library and textbooks back to the library asap in order to avoid being invoiced for them.
Empathy Boosting Books: 2019 Read for Empathy Guides
Tuesday 11th June is Empathy Day this year. The focus for this day is all about harnessing the power of books to build empathy and help us all understand each other better.
Scientific evidence shows that in identifying with book characters, we learn to see things from other points of view. Reading stories that offer s into other people’s feelings builds our real-life empathy – an essential social and emotional skill.
Find out more about Empathy Day here.
Read for Empathy Guides featuring 45 diverse and powerful books, specially chosen to enhance children’s empathy skills. CLICK HERE for the full list of books - included is the new Secondary Guide with 15 books for 11 to 16-year-olds - featuring a Poetry, Graphic Novels, Short Stories list with titles such Rising Stars, Alpha and A Change is Gonna Come alongside a list of Novels featuring Turtles All the Way Down, Boy 87 and Rosie Loves Jack.
Week 37 - 3 to 7 June
Year 6 Senior School Library Transition Lessons
This week saw the being of the library transition lessons for year 6. Over the next couple of weeks, the Junior School teachers will be bringing their English classes to the Senior School Library in order to get a sense and a spirit of excitement about moving up to the Senior School.
We talked about the similarities and difference between the Senior and Junior Schoool libraries, toured both floors of the SS Library, students read and borrowed books and had fun with the activities for the visit. The enthusiasm and excitement in the air palpable and I even overheard one student announce with glee to his classmate "This place is absolute heaven!"
I'm sure we are looking forward to welcoming these students back to the Senior Library next year as much as they are keen to return with their year 7 English teachers.
Looking ahead to Coffee & Conversations next year
Our Coffee & Coffee With An Author events have been a huge success this year. Not only have they opened up the Senior School Library to the parent community but we have had so many fascinating authors come and talk to us about their writing journey.
A number of them have come from our parent body and we have really enjoyed celebrating their success and marveling at the talent that surrounds us here at DCSG.
We have a number of authors already lined up for next year but we just can't wait to tell you about the first one - Dana Bachar Grossman. Dana, the mother of 4 boys, is a Dulwich parent and will be the first cab off the rank in the 2091-20 Coffee & Conversations With An Author (Date and time TBC).
Dana's recently published book, Fight or Flight?: The survival guide for flying with kids, is one that you might want to buy before her talk. In fact, you might want to buy it very soon, if (as I am sure most of you are) you will be flying with your children over the summer break! The book does exactly what it says on the tin!
Available on Amazon for only $3.01 Kindle version or the paperback version for $19.97, this book is very entertaining and highly informative.
And if you can't wait until next year to hear Dana talk about her books, you might want to go to her book launch next week!
Last Coffee & Conversations for the year - Thursday 20 June @ 8:45am
We are really looking forward to hosting Pip Harry as our final Coffee & Conversations author for the year. Pip started her writing career as a junior reporter for NW and went on to work for some of Australia’s leading publications including Woman’s Day, New Idea and TV WEEK. Her best writing job was frequently flying around the world as a travel editor. Pip’s debut novel for young adults, I’ll Tell You Mine, was based on her experiences at an all-girls boarding school. It won the Australian Family Therapists’ award for children’s literature. She has since published Head of the River, about competitive school rowing, and Because of You, inspired by volunteering at a homeless shelter writing group. Her latest book The Little Wave, a middle-grade verse novel, has recently been published in Australia.
Pip has presented at international writing festivals and led workshops at schools and universities around the world. Pip’s website can be viewed here.
Don't miss this event!
Does reading fiction make us better people?
Reading fiction has been said to increase people’s empathy and compassion. This article examines the research surrounding this and concludes:
perhaps reading fiction does make people behave better. Certainly, some institutions consider the effects of reading to be so significant that they now include modules on literature. At the University of California Irvine, for example, Johanna Shapiro from the Department of Family Medicine firmly believes that reading fiction results in better doctors and has led the establishment of a humanities programme to train medical students.
All good things come to an end!
We always find it difficult at this time of year to tell our students that we have to close off borrowing. Although, what we find most difficult is getting all the books back at the end of year! :)
Please help make this easier for us by assisting your kids to search around and find all those missing library and textbooks.
Over the summer Ms Shirley will work on getting the library back into spick and span shape so we a ready for a fresh start to the new academic year with lots of new books and resources waiting for reading and research pleasure.
But something new is about to start!
BorrowBox is a download service that the DCSG Library has subscribed to, designed and powered by Bolinda Digital. We have decided to replace our current e-book library subscription with BorrowBox because it has the added advantage of audiobooks as well as ebooks.
BorrowBox is available online or as an app that can be downloaded to smartphones or mobile devices. It allows students to borrow either audiobooks or ebooks from our library any time of day from anywhere. Once they've downloaded the books they don’t even need to remain online to enjoy them.
We are have been working hard to ensure the introduction of this new service coincides with the closure of borrowing for the year. Students will have the time to get themselves sorted with this and be ready to use it over the summer break.
Week 36 - 27 to 31 May
Educators in Singapore Unite at DCSG!
Drawing together educators from over 20 schools in Singapore, the Digital Literacy and Research Skills workshop hosted in the Senior School Library this week, provided the opportunity for professional learning, discussion and collaboration between teachers and administrators committed to ensuring best practice in their schools.
Why school librarians matter: What years of research tell us
When schools have high-quality library programs and librarians who share their expertise with the entire school community, student achievement gets a boost.
Written by Keith Curry Lance and Debra E. Rachel, the article Why School Librarians Matter: What Years of Research Tell Us, outlines the correlations between library programs and librarians and student achievement.
Read the full article on the Phi Delta Kappan website.
Students tend to thrive academically where library programs provide ready access to free and subscription-based online resources alongside more traditional collections of books, periodicals, and audiovisual resources.
Dulwich Information Book Award
The Dulwich Information Book Award (initiated in 2016 - 17) is our ongoing aim is to highlight good quality nonfiction books in both English and Mandarin and promote them across our schools. The intention of the award is to encourage wider reading and provide a focus for a critical evaluation of content and design. Click here to read more about this award.
I am excited to announce the Senior School Shortlist for this year. Any of these books which we don't already have copies of are on order and we look forward to focusing closely on them in the new academic year.
End of Year Library Timeline
| End of Year Library Overdue Deadlines | |
|---|---|
| 4 June | Library books to be returned by all student who are leaving and Year 11 students |
| Year 11 students are required to return their textbooks for each subject as they complete that exam | |
| 7 June | Last day of library borrowing for students who are not leaving the school |
| 7 June | * Year 11 students who have not returned their outstanding library and textbooks will be invoiced (except Chemistry, Physics German - these will be invoiced if not returned after the exam on 14 June) |
| 10 June | All outstanding library books for students and parents due back today |
| 10 June | All leavers (*other than certain Year 11) will be invoiced for outstanding library and textbooks |
| 19 June | All students and parents will be invoiced for outstanding library and textbooks |
| NB - Students studying the IGCSE and DP curriculum will be advised by the teachers whether they need to keep their textbooks over the summer break. Where this the case, students will not be required to return their books and will of course not be invoiced for non-return of these books. |
The end of the school year is the only time we require all our library books and the majority of our textbooks to be returned to the library to enable us to establish the state of the collection and reset for the new school year in August.
In order to avoid being invoiced for the cost of non-returned resources, please refer to the above timeline and assist your son and daughter in returning what they have borrowed by the due date.
Inspiring our students towards a more sustainable future is an important aspect of a Dulwich Education and as you are no doubt aware, our commitment here at DCSG is absolute. Please help us 'walk the walk' with this endeavour so that we are not needing to reorder resources which have already been acquired for student use.
Upcoming Coffee & Conversations - Thursday 20 June @ 8:45am
Scroll down to the previous two weeks for more details about our next author Pip Harry. Pip is a veteran of the writing and journalism industry, with over twenty years of experience as a writer in both Singapore, and her home country of Australia. We are really looking forward to welcoming her here as our final Coffee & Conversations for the year. Don't miss it - Thursday 20 June @ 8:45 in the Senior School Library Oval Room - tea coffee and pastries served.
Week 35 - 20 to 24 May
Has your teenager signed up for SYNC yet?
Just a reminder about SYNC, the free summer audiobook program for teens 13+. Starting again on April 25, 2019, SYNC has been giving away two complete audiobook downloads a week - pairs of titles, based on weekly themes.
The free audiobooks arriving this week will give listeners great opportunities to consider the what, how, and why of the 20th century's most famous wall. Thanks to authors Romesh and Jennifer A. Nielsen, Author, and to the fine narrators Wes Bleed & Kate Simses, these books are predicted to be keepers for many people. Access these books using the following link https://www.audiobooksync.com/blog/sync-2019-week-5/
Save the date for our last Coffee and Conversation for this academic year - Pip Harry @8:45 Thursday 20 June
Our Coffee and Conversations With An Author have proved to be a very popular initiative this year which has really opened the Senior School Library to up to parents. We are excited about our final Coffee and Conversations this academic year - Australian author Pip Harry.
Pip Harry is a writer and editor. Her YA novels include I’ll Tell You Mine (2012), winner of the Australian Family Therapists Children’s Literature Award (2013). Head of the River, longlisted for the Gold Inky award (2015) and shortlisted for the Adelaide Festival Literary awards (2016) and Because of You, shortlisted for the CBCA Children's Book of the Year Awards, Victorian Premier's Literary Award and Queensland Literary Awards (2018). Pip lives in Singapore with her family and currently works as Editor for the Australian and New Zealand Association (ANZA).
The Little Wave (2019), a middle grade verse novel, has recently been published in Australia. It is about a Sydney school who hosts a class visit from the country, and a group of children who uncover the value of true friendship, courage and new experiences. Click here to read more about Pip and make sure you mark this event in your diary.
Alice Clark-Platts
Alice Clark-Platts, a Dulwich parent and bestselling author, has shared insights into her writing journey a number of times here at DCSG. She will be talking about her latest success, The Flower Girls, at:
Central Public Library - Programme Zone
100 Victoria Street
#B1-01
Singapore 188064
Sunday 26 May, 11am
Event is free. So if you weren't able to come to Alice's recent Coffee & Conversations here in the SS Library, register at https://go.gov.sg/nlb-flowergirls and learn we are all so excited about her fabulous new book.
Don't be afraid about returning overdues!
I came across this interesting story this week about a book borrowed from an Irish library which was returned more than 80 years after it was due!
The big takeaway message for me was this quote by the senior library assistant, Denis McGeady:
The return of this book is a nice reminder to anyone who has any overdue books not to be afraid
So as we come up to that time of year when we are starting to round up all the library books for a well earned rest over the end of year break, I urge you to remember the benevolent approach library staff have to getting the books back!
Readathon raised $2,548 for a great cause
Our Readathon, launched during Book Week by the three college libraries, raised a fantastic $2548. This is being used to enhance the reading opportunities for the children who attend the Spright Centers run by Ang Mo Kio Family Services.
The Service Heroes CCA have made several story sacks that contain books such as The Twits and Flat Stanley and are accompanied by activities, games and storytelling props related to each book and will be giving these to the children from Spright when they meet them later this term. Service Heroes are also working hard on designs for a new reading area at one of the Spright Centers.The Junior School reading and community ambassadors have also been involved in choosing books for the as well as ordering book vouchers for the children to select books for themselves.These committed students and teachers will be concentrating on building strong connections with the children who attend the Spright Centres and are currently setting up shared reading opportunities between them and JS students for the next academic year.
In June the Senior School students will be hosting a large group of students from two of the Spright Centres. Year 9s will be running reading-based activities to help build friendships through a love of reading.
How wonderful that the strong reading culture and love of books here at Dulwich has been able to share this passion with children who are not as privileged as our students.
Week 34 - 13 to 17 May
An extra long weekend gives us the opportunity to catch up on our to read list. Students have been encouraged to stock up with plenty of reading material for the next 4 days - whether it is ebooks for travellers or lots of paper copies for those staying at home.
That time of year again!
Last day for borrowing will be Friday, 7 June. We are looking ahead we at a fun way to get the message out that all books need to be returned to the library before the end of the year. I am the aunty of this gorgeous dog, who was the poster boy for last year's overdue drive. Students who have a special animal in your life, have been invited to help us to get the books back by taking a photo and using it to make a meme to remind students to bring any overdue books back to the library asap. House points to be earned so we are looking forward to seeing some creative efforts.
Library stocktake statistic
Library stocktake or inventory is the process of checking the library collection on the shelves against the records and is undertaken here at DCSG on a regular basis in order to:
- Ensure the accuracy of the records
- Estimate loss rates in order to evaluate the way patrons are respecting this learning community resource
- Make decisions about which missing books need to be replaced and how much of the new budget will be used for this purpose rather than buying previously unheld books
- Evaluate the condition of the books on the shelves
- Eliminate any cataloging discrepancies
- Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the collection and identify any gaps.
This year's stocktake shows that we have 376 books missing from the Senior School Library. Books which have been removed without being checked out on the system. Obviously, we would rather spend our new budget on purchasing new titles for our patrons rather than replacing books the College already owns.
Please help us grow the collection by ensuring all books are returned to the library and if you happen to find an 'orphaned' or 'kidnapped' library book please rescue it and bring it home to the library.
HELP US MOVE OUR LIBRARY FROM GOOD TO GREAT
Last chance to order from Scholastic - Sunday 19 May
Click here to see the latest Teen Book Club range available in the book. Some great YA fiction and non-fiction available.
If you were planning on purchasing books through the Scholastic online book club, this weekend is the last opportunity to purchase books as it closes on Sunday 19th May. Click here to order.
Visit from Millennia Institute Library Staff
We have had an ongoing professional relationship with the library staff at the Millennia Institute ever since Miss Shirley and I headed across the road to visit their library toward the end of my first year here at DCSG and they reciprocated the visit a few months later. Sharing and collaborating with other professionals in the field is always a great way to broaden understandings and leveraging opportunities to strengthen practice.
As the library at the Millennia Institute is about to be renovated, Madathiammal Karuppiah, Dr. Mohd Pitchay Gani and Fiona Gwee Xiurong revisited us here to see how things are progressing at our end. They were very impressed with how the College has developed in comparison to the last visit and I am looking forward to continuing our collegial connection when I head back across the road to view their renovations when they are complete.
National Online Safety Website
I recently came across the National Online Safety website whose mission is to empower parents, carers and trusted adults with the information they need to hold an informed conversation about online safety with their children.
The digital nature of the world we live in, in particular the effect of social media, is often scrutinized as having a negative impact on children's mental health. Although currently there is not enough evidence or research to say whether this is true or not, there are certain 'modern pressures' connect to spending so much time attached to a screen which trusted adults need to be aware of.
Seeking to equip trusted adults with the knowledge to achieve a safer online world for children, the advice offered in this regard is short, sharp and insightful as these posters below show.
Next Coffee & Conversations author - Pip Harry - 20 June @ 8:45am
We are really excited about our next Coffee and Conversations author, Pip Harry. Pip started her writing career as a reporter and editor for magazines, including Woman’s Day, New Idea and TV Week.
Her debut novel for young adults, I’ll Tell You Mine, won the Australian Family Therapists’ award for children’s literature. Head of the River, about competitive school rowing was shortlisted for the Adelaide Literary Awards and Gold Inky. Because of You, inspired by volunteering at a homeless shelter writing group, was shortlisted for the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award, Queensland Literary Awards and CBCA Older Readers Book of the Year. Her latest book The Little Wave is about a Manly school who sets out to bring a country class to the city for a beach visit.
Pip currently lives and writes in Singapore and has agreed to come and talk with us on Thursday, 20 June at 8:45 am in the Senior School Library. Make sure you put this in your diary and don't miss the opportunity to be part of our last Coffee & Conversations for the year.
Week 33 - 6 to 10 May
Lisa Beazley, Coffee & Conversations author
Coffee and conversation, fun and frivolity with Lisa Beazley, author of Keep Me Posted in the Senior School Library.
It was such a great session this week. We can't wait to read her next book, which has an intriguing plot. Fingers crossed we can lure her back to DCSG to talk to us again about her continuing journey as an author!
2018-19 Red Dot Book Award Winners
As the Red Dots are a “children’s choice” award, only students may vote.
Students may vote for ONE book in each category (Early Years, Younger Readers, Older Readers, and Mature Readers).
There is no minimum number of books that must be read (though we assume you have read at least two – as voting implies comparison between two or more things.)
These votes were collated last week and the winners have been announced. Click on the blue link below to find the successful books in all the categories.
The PowerPoint presentation below is the one we used to notify our SS students about the winning books in the Older and Mature Readers Category.
Developing a Sense of Responsibility
A worrying number of Year 11 students are failing to return their textbooks as they complete their exams for each particular subject and many still have textbooks from previous years. In a world resources are stretched and we are trying to be sustainable by making teaspoons of change, this simple act of responsibility is a great first step to protecting our future.
Parents of Year 11 students can help their sons and daughters meet their responsibility in this regard - and at the same time avoid being invoiced for the replacement value of these College resources.
Books for indigenous students in Malaysia
A colleague working in Malaysia has begun a programme of project-based learning in a school of approximately 60 students who attend a remote school in Kelantan. Aged from 11 to 18 they are indigenous Jahai, one of the Orang Asli groups, and are marginalized in every way. The students enjoy books, but their literacy levels are very low. She is hoping to find some easy reading books in both English and Bahasa Malaysian which she can use with them. Please consider donating if you have any books that your kids are finished with.
Just send them to the SS Library and I will make sure she gets them.
Why you should ditch Netflix for a novel!
Gabriel Alcala
I think I may be the only person in Singapore who does not subscribe to Netflix so I was very interested to read this New York Times article by the fiction author Ben Dolnick, who advocates we ditch Netflix and start binge reading now!
The main reason I've avoided Netflix is that I fear I cannot trust myself to do the reading I need, like and want to do in order to do my job as teacher librarian here at DCSG well. The lure of binging on the latest' must watch' series on Netflix can be very appealing at the end of a hectic day, week or term ar school when I feel I am hardly able to pick up a book let alone read it! So removing the temptation certainly works for me.
Dolick examination of how technology has changed his style of reading, resonated with me and is advice at the end is certainly worth considering.
Once I’m actually enjoying a book, it really does feel as if the pages are turning themselves ... pleasure is, after all — once I scrape away the layers of self-image and pretentiousness — the reason that I read. When I’ve found the right book, and I’m reading it the right way, reading is fun — head-tingling, goosebump-raising fun. It’s a vivid and continuous dream that is somehow both directed from without and cast from within, and I get to be awake for it. Netflix can wait.
Week 32 - 29 April to 3 May
Coffee & conversations with Lisa Beazley - next Tuesday, 7 May @8:45 am
Lisa Beazley has worked in journalism and public relations for more than fifteen years. She has agreed to come and be part of our Coffee and Conversations series next Tuesday, 7 May to talk about Keep Me Posted is her first novel and her journey from journalism to author.
We look forward to welcoming you to the SS Library next Tuesday for coffee, conversations and pastries at 8:45am in the Oval Room on Level 2 with this upcoming new author.
Read more about Lisa and her fabulous debut novel here.
A new leisure and learning space for the library
We are very excited about the fabulous new outdoor furniture which has allowed us to open up the outdoor space in front of the main door of the library. Using the House colours as our theme, we have made a space which works brilliantly for students during leisure and class time.
Year 11 Library and Textbook Returns
All the best to our Year 11s who are currently in exam mode. We have asked that they bring back their textbook on the day they are taking the exam for each particular subject. In order to avoid being invoiced for library or textbooks, students must ensure they are all returned by Friday, 14 June.
All Year 11 students were issued with a list of the books they have outstanding. We would really appreciate parent's help in ensuring students stay on track with this at this busy time for our students.
Losing and finding yourself in a book!
Working with the Reading Ambassadors is a great way to connect with students and promote the library as an important part of the Senior School. Each week they take a message about what's happening in the library back to their tutor group and encourage their fellow students to get on board with the many activities, events and focuses the library has on offer.
Scholastic International School Book Club
This term, we are providing the opportunity to buy books from the latest Scholastic UK . Scan the QR Code or use the link below to access the .
https://world-shop.scholastic.co.uk/schools/dulwich-college-singapore
The website contains a wide range of carefully selected age-appropriate children’s books, predominantly published within the UK, from which you and your family may choose. Many of these books are newly published and are not always available locally. If you wish to purchase any of the books, all orders are completed online and the books will be delivered to school before the end of .
The closing date will be Sunday 19 May as we aim to for all orders to be fulfilled before the end of . Delivery usually takes around 3 weeks. There is no obligation to order. Please remember all orders go through the website, do not send in cash or cheques to school.
We have set up a school Parent Pay account that you can visit and input your order. You can pay securely online by credit or debit card and the books will arrive in school for us to distribute to classes. Deliveries usually take around 2-3 weeks from the closing date.
- Visit: https://world-shop.scholastic.co.uk/schools/dulwich-college-singaporeprices shown are in GBP (£)
- Select the books that you’d like to order from any of the , Mini (0-6), XD (7-11) and Teen (11+) and add them to your basket
- At Checkout, select which part of the College your child is in and enter their name and class. (this will ensure we can deliver to your child)
- At step 3, you will notice a ‘school administration charge’ will be added, this is 7% to cover GST import cost to Singapore. Your order will be charged to your card in the currency shown (GBP) and you will receive an email confirming the order and payment. Please note that we cannot accept cash or orders with cheques, all orders are to be completed online.
- Your order will then be delivered after the final closing date () to the College and handed out to your child (please inform us if you would prefer to collect the order yourself)
- Library staff will be happy to answer any queries library@dulwich-singapore.edu.sg
We hope that you enjoy browsing through the – it’s a great way to encourage your child to broaden their reading experience and to own some really wonderful books.
Readathon Completed - please bring in your donations
Our Book Week Readathon closed on Monday - if you haven't already done so, please bring in your donations. Congratulations to all students who set themselves a reading challenge and raised money to help others. In the coming weeks, we will share the total amount raised.
Last chance to vote!
We have enjoyed another year of fabulous reading and activities with the Red Dot Book Award. Voting closes on 1 May.
As a way to entice our busy teenage readers hyped to have there say, the library is offering a free jelly bean for all voters! It's amazing what an effective technique this is!
How drinking tea makes me a better librarian!
I may not have a tattoo, but I do have a number of things in common with the 5 Min Librarian. One of them is drinking tea - often cold, as there are lots of distractions in a school library, but it is good to know that this habit makes me better at my job. It seems that drinking tea not only relieves stress but also makes you friendlier and helps develop mindfulness practices. Clearly things we can all benefit from. Click here to read more.
Photographic recap of a year in the library
All teachers have asked to submit photos for the Year Book by the end of the week. The tendency to overthink how to represent a year's worth of activity in the library is huge I can assure you. Being limited to 20 photos only has name this job super difficult but see below for the pictures which made the cut:
May - National Family Reading Month
We know that reading role models and shared reading time are critical to a child’s learning and literacy development. Research shows that family reading time is one of the BEST ways to grow a child’s interest in the wonderful world of books and one of the best ways to keep kids interested in reading. Remember - Kids who read, succeed. Get onboard with this message during month and take the challenge to make the time to read together as a family this month.
Week 31 - 22 to 26 April
Coffee & Conversations with author Lisa Beazley
We are excited to be hosting Lisa Beazley as our first Coffee and Conversations author for Term 3. Lisa traded her corporate communications career for fiction writing when she moved from New York to Singapore with her husband and children.
Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, Lisa has a journalism degree from Ohio University and has lived and worked in Cleveland, Honolulu, and New York City. When she’s not reading or writing, Lisa is sharpening her toad-catching, Lego-building, and deep-breathing skills as the mother of three young boys. Keep Me Posted is her first novel. We are really looking forward to hearing about her transition here in Singapore about the writing of her debut novel - which I have read and loved.
Save the date and catch her on Tuesday, May 7 at 8:45am in the SS Library.
Readers Cup Festival
This week 30 DCSG students represented the college this week at the Singapore Red Dot Award Readers Cup at the German International School.
Thank you to the following students who represented the Senior School at this fabulous festival:
| Grace Cronin | 8I |
| Charlotte Johnson | 8C |
| Ethan Daugherty | 8C |
| Thomas McDonald | 8I |
| Janelle Tan | 8H |
| Linda Ding | 12D |
There was a buzz of excitement in the air as the students arrived to take part in the all the fun activities and enjoy and benefit from the opportunity to get to know like-minded students from other international schools.
The highlight of this event was definitely the National Readers Cup Quiz. While there was definitely an air of competition in the room the senior students competing in the Mature Book Category were wild with excitement about their love of reading.
The Better Book Cover Competition was also a popular aspect of the festival. Click here to see the entries
After a pizza snack in the fabulous canteen at GESS, students made their way to the auditorium to watch the book trailers students made to promote their favourite books - check this playlist to see the contributions - and hear who won in each category. Our Older Readers Team cleaned up in that regard, coming first and third. What an effort!
The Book Fair was hugely popular at the end of the competition when many of the book worms took the opportunity to buy more books as well as claim their prizes.
This festival is a wonderful opportunity for students whose superpower is reading to get together with other book lovers and indulge their passion at an event which recognises the awesomeness of their interests and abilities. The smiles which abounded on all the faces present yesterday was certainly a testament to the importance of such occasions.
Next Year's Red Dot Award Books Announced
After many meetings and much reading, discussion and deliberation on the part of the International School Library Association here in Singapore (myself included) a decision has been made about the books that we will be concentration on for next year's Readers Cup. The students were excited to see this announced yesterday and can't wait to start reading this next lot of books.
Have you and your teenager signed up yet?
Do you love audiobooks? AudiobookSync started yesterday! I've used this service for several years and love it! I encourage you to share it with your teenager and even consider listening to the books yourself. It's a great way to get a sense of the books our young adults enjoy.
Sponsored by AudioFile and distributed through the free OverDrive app, Sync is a program geared toward teen listeners but that anyone who enjoys a great audiobook will want to take advantage of.
What it is: For 14 weeks every summer, beginning April 25, Sync offers up 2 free titles for download that include recent and backlist young adult titles, as well as classic titles. You’re welcome to download both titles or pick and choose which you’d like. All the audiobooks are aimed at ages 13+, and they are a mix of genres.
This week's releases Blink and Caution by Tim Wynne-Jones and Swing by Kwame Alexander. You will have one week to download them.
You can download the books and find the entire list of summer releases at:
https://www.audiobooksync.com/
To take advantage of the free listens, you have to download the OverDrive app and download the titles for the week they’re offered. Even though they’re only available for seven days to download, once you download the books, they are yours to keep forever. So never fear if you can’t listen as fast as they’re available.
Snag the first titles today here and remember to check back each week to pick out your free audiobooks all summer long.
Curious what the titles for this year’s program are? Here’s the full list of free audiobooks from AudioSync for 2019:
Week 1: April 25 – May 2
SWING by Kwame Alexander, with Mary Rand Hess, narrated by Kwame Alexander (Blink)
BLINK & CAUTION by Tim Wynne-Jones, narrated by MacLeod Andrews (Candlewick on Brilliance Audio)
Week 2: May 2 – May 9
OTHELLO by William Shakespeare, narrated by Ewan McGregor, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kelly Reilly, Tom Hiddleston, and a full cast (Naxos AudioBooks)
YOU by Charles Benoit, narrated by David Baker (Full Cast Audio)
Week 3: May 9 – May 16
THE EPIC CRUSH OF GENIE LO by F.C. Yee, narrated by Nancy Wu (Recorded Books)
Week 4: May 16 – May 23
SPILL by Leigh Fondakowski, performed by Elisa Bocanegra, Nicholas Hormann, James Morrison, Darren Richardson, and a full cast (L.A. Theatre Works)
MEET THE SKY by McCall Hoyle, narrated by Morgan Fairbanks (Blink)
Week 5: May 23 – May 30
A NIGHT DIVIDED by Jennifer A. Nielsen, narrated by Kate Simses (Scholastic Audiobooks)
Week 6: May 30 – June 6
THE FIRST TIME SHE DROWNED by Kerry Kletter, narrated by Jorjeana Marie (Penguin Random House Audio/Listening Library)
Week 7: June 6 – June 13
A GIRL LIKE THAT by Tanaz Bhathena, narrated by Firdous Bamji, Neil Shah, Soneela Nankani, Lameece Issaq (Recorded Books)
Week 8: June 13 – June 20
THE GOLDEN DAY by Ursula Dubosarsky, narrated by Kate Rudd (Candlewick on Brilliance Audio)
GULP by Mary Roach, narrated by Emily Woo Zeller (Tantor Audio)
Week 9: June 20 – June 27
ASTRAY by Emma Donoghue, narrated by Khristine Hvam, James Langton, Robert Petkoff, Suzanne Toren, Dion Graham (Hachette Audio)
OLIVIA TWIST by Lorie Langdon, narrated by Pearl Hewitt (Black Hills Audiobooks)
Week 10: June 27 – July 4
YAQUI DELGADO WANTS TO KICK YOUR ASS by Meg Medina, narrated by Roxanne Hernandez (Candlewick on Brilliance Audio)
HERETICS ANONYMOUS by Katie Henry, narrated by Michael Crouch (HarperAudio)
Week 11: July 4 – July 11
THE NAME OF THE STAR by Maureen Johnson, narrated by Nicola Barber (Brilliance Audio)
THE CANTERVILLE GHOST by Oscar Wilde, narrated by Rupert Degas (Naxos AudioBooks)
Week 12: July 11 – July 18
BECOMING KAREEM by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, narrated by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Hachette Audio)
VINCENT AND THEO by Deborah Heiligman, narrated by Philip Fox (Dreamscape Media)
Week 13: July 18 – July 25
THE GO-BETWEEN by Veronica Chambers, narrated by Karla Souza (Penguin Random House Audio/Listening Library)
Week 14: July 25 – August 1
AKATA WITCH by Nnedi Okorafor, narrated by Yetide Badaki (Tantor Audio)
ALL THE CROOKED SAINTS by Maggie Stiefvater, narrated by Thom Rivera (Scholastic Audiobooks)
Readathon draws to an end
The Readathon finishes next week so please send in any money and forms to the school libraries. Congratulations to all students who set themselves a reading challenge and raised money to help others. In the coming weeks, we will share the total amount raised.
Relaxing with a jigsaw in the library
Even though the library is a very popular spot for students during their break time, we like to have a little hook to draw them in - especially the ones who may not ordinarily come to the library.
Our jigsaw puzzle this week has been a huge success with lots of different students coming to contribute to the joint project. It won't be long before it is finished!
Library Level 3 Reflection Space
It has been a great privilege to have had level 3 in the library chosen as the quiet, reflective space for students to be able to come to when they have needed this week. The condolence book and message board have allowed students to express how they feel and start to come to terms with the loss of their friends, Annabel and Alex. Such a deeply sad time for our community.
World Book Night
World Book Night, celebrated across the world on 23 April each year, is about celebrating the joy and benefits of reading - nothing quite matches the enjoyment that comes from losing oneself in a good book.
It's probably fair to say that every night is World Book Night at DCSG, but our Reading Ambassadors agree that this special occasion is a great opportunity to encourage family and friends who may not read often to indulge themselves in this special treat on this evening.
The Reading Agency, who coordinates this event, work every day toward a world where everyone is reading their way to a better life and their moto, We tackle life’s big challenges through the proven power of reading, is one that we can all adopt.
World Book & Copyright Day
World Book and Copyright Day (also known as International Day of the Book or World Book Day) is also observed on April 23. This annually celebrated day is organized by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing copyright. Their aim is to:
- To raise awareness about the importance of reading
- To reach out and give people access to books
- To educate people to take care for their library facilities
- To celebrate books.
Earth Day in the library and beyond
In this day and age of instant information, we are finally beginning to understand the consequences of our actions and the impact they are having on our world and our survivability as a species. Wherever you look, nature is under assault and if we don’t take steps now to try and repair the damage, there might not be much of a world left for our children to pass onto theirs.
Not only is the library a great place to read up about what's happening to our world, but it is a good place to find ways to strive for a zero-waste lifestyle.
Clearly borrowing books from the library instead of buying them is not only good for your finances, but it is good for the environment. With 27 public libraries spread across Singapore, these are easily accessible to all of us!
Preloved books are another considerate way to prevent books from going into the landfills. In Singapore, there are so many platforms that allow you to purchase second-hand books. These books are usually in good condition and come at very affordable prices, ranging from $5 to $10!
For physical shops, you can check out:
- Books & Beer: A newly launched online marketplace that makes buying and selling pre-loved books easy! They provide a scan-to-list method and direct shipping services to readers for a much better experience. In addition, they have teamed up with various cafes to place a collection of books in which you can take, donate or swap.
- Bras Basah Complex: There are at least 3-4 shops dedicated to selling pre-loved books!
- : has a wide range of preloved books waiting for you to bring them home!
- Dignity Mama Stall: An initiative of Project Dignity Pte Ltd for youths with special needs, Dignity Mama Stall allow mum to co-work with their children and equips youth with the skills to run and manage a stall. All of the pre-loved books sold are donated, sorted and priced reasonably to generate income.
Swapping is the new buying. Some books swapping groups in Singapore include:
- Books & Beer: One of the most established book swaps in Singapore, Books & Beer has been around since June 2011. Book swaps are once every two months and typically takes place over three hours during a weekend, at a centrally-located F&B venue. While the swop is on-going, attendees will typically purchase a drink or two, engage in conversation with new friends, read a new book they’ve picked up…
- The Book Swap Club: Primarily a book-swapping group, this club might engage in some form of while swapping and maybe even discuss the books we intend to exchange. It will not be like other book/reading clubs where you get together to discuss a particular book, but it’s meant for you to refresh your library with other books you have not read. They meet every 2 months at a convenient location, usually in town after work.
- Facebook Group (Singapore Books Free Used Buy Sell Swap Exchange Fiction NonFiction): With about 500 members on board, this Facebook Group is a platform for you to swap, sell, exchange any types of books!
Going digital might also be an option. But before you purchase an e-reader, do think twice! According to one life-cycle analysis of printed books versus e-readers, the energy, water, and raw materials needed to make a single e-reader is equal to that of 40-to-50 books. In terms of the effect on the climate, the emissions created by a single e-reader are equal to roughly 100 books. Hence, only if you are very sure that you are an avid reader, then go ahead and get that e-reader.
A great digital alternative? Why not borrow e-books from the National Library? Did you know, NLB ebooks can be browsed and searched via eReads? Each book can be borrowed for a period of about 21 days. Not only does it save you the money from spending on an e-reader it also allows you to enjoy a wide range of books!
in School Library Month is the American Association of School Librarians' celebration of school librarians and their programs. Every April school librarians are encouraged to host activities to help their school and local community celebrate the essential role that strong school library programs play in transforming learning. More about the history of School Library Month.
(Adapted from How to be a zero waste book lover)
Recognizing the value of reading for pleasure
In this interview published in the Fait Observer, Andy Seed, a British children’s author, talks about the importance of reading in schools and families.
It’s a question that academics, governments and families have considered essential for children. Indeed, reading helps to broaden the mind. Those who read books experience stronger family relationships, improved communication and better critical thinking skill.
The Dulwich librarians get together in Suzhou
During the Spring break, I meet up with the many of the other Dulwich teacher librarians and library staff at Dulwich College Suzhou. At our annual Jobs Alike Workshop (JAWS) we were able to continue the collaborative professional discussion we, and our respective Colleges, have been benefiting from since 2015.
Our first JAWS conference was held in DC Beijing in November 2015 when we established several working parties: BlueSky standards for librarians (completed); Library policies and procedures; Consortium buying; Working towards a common approach.
Subsequently, we have met annually in DC Singapore (November 2016) and DC Shanghai-Pudong (November 2017). At these conferences, we’ve discussed other joint ventures and collaboration to benefit all schools and new staff in terms of shared best practice and expertise in librarianship throughout the group.
These highly beneficial professional learning and development events are certainly another very real example of the 'One College, Many Campuses' ideal DCI promotes and encourages.
Celebrating School Library Month
Observed in April, School Library Month celebrates school libraries as open, equitable, and personalized learning environments necessary for every student’s well-rounded education.
While every month in school library month at DCSG, we never miss the opportunity to remind our patrons of the important role the library plays in there learning.