Our new library!

On Thursday, I was able to visit our new library and Music/Drama room. They are wonderful learning spaces! Imagine how the library will look with all of our new books on the shelves. 

I took a few photos to share, since I know our students and teachers are keen to see the finished space, and school is now over for this year. 

The Aboriginal painting that our whole school helped to paint, takes pride of place. 

There are many pieces of colourful and interesting furniture in the library, it hasn't been properly arranged yet, but you'll be able to get the general idea. 

There is a beautiful white Caesarstone counter top on the circulation desk. I think I look very smart, sitting there, ready to scan books (minus my computer and scanner!), don't you?

Look at these colourful tables and chairs for our younger students - they can be arranged in many different ways. 

We even have window seats, where students can relax and read, with book storage underneath.

There are spinning book carousels that will hold our Junior Fiction (A.K.A. yellow spot books) and Graphic Texts (A.K.A. blue spot books).   

The Music/Drama room has a kitchenette (it's hidden in a cupboard!). 

I can't set up the library just yet, as there are a few more finishing touches that need to be completed. As you can see, though, I am SO excited and can't wait to turn this amazing space into St Brigid's library! 

What do you think of our new library? Leave a comment below (it'll come to me to be checked before you see it appear).

Papua New Guinea Book Donation

After the fire, we were fortunate to receive thousands of donated books from other schools, publishers, booksellers, authors, families and other businesses. 

Some of these donated books were surplus to our needs, so I contacted Michael from the Lasallian Mission Council. They are collecting donations to fill a container that will be shipped to classrooms in Papua New Guinea. We are so pleased to be able to pass on some of the generosity we received, to others. 

Inner West Council Library - Marrickville Library

During the summer holidays, Marrickville Library has many events to encourage children to connect with books. For the Summer Reading Club the Inner West Council library staff are dusting off their spandex, putting on masks and capes and diving head first into the best hero and villain books.

From Superman, Luke Skywalker to The Daleks and Voldemort there is a hero or villain hiding in every book at the library.

Take the Summer Reading or ‘Make-it-to-Win-it’Challenge to win some very cool prizes! Plus, visit the interactive superhero and villain wall at Marrickville Library, where you can dress up in cool props and strike a pose for your superhero or supervillain pic.

All entrants must be a member of any Inner West Council library to enter.

Almost done!

The new library is very close to completion. New furniture has arrived and the builders are just adding the finishing touches to the building. 

Since the huge eucalyptus tree was a striking feature outside the windows of our old library, the colours of grey and green have been incorporated into the design of the new library to create a link with our past.

New Library Books and Donations

We are still processing all the books for our new library. A huge thank you to the devoted group of parents who continue to cover books each week. Thanks also to the students who carry the distinctive blue striped bags home and back to school so reliably.

We've begun to pack all the books that are ready for the new library shelves into colourful, indigenous print boxes. 

Since we received so many generous book donations when our library was destroyed by fire, we wanted to pay the generosity forward. So we've packed boxes of some of our books to donate to the people of Papua New Guinea, through an initiative organised by De La Salle - Lasallian Mission Council in Bankstown. So great to think of others across the ocean joyfully opening these boxes!

Building Program - Week 12 Progress

The builders are busy putting the finishing touches on our new learning spaces. The classrooms upstairs have taken shape...

The painters are busy in our new library and the circulation desk has been modified, to allow our smaller students to see Mrs Rigg when they're borrowing their books next year. 

Building Program - Week 8 Progress

Our new learning spaces are beginning to take shape. Dividing walls are being built inside the new Year 6 classrooms. 

In the new library we can now see the frame of the new circulation desk. This is going to be a truly unique feature of our library. I have also included more photos of the circular parts of the ceiling, that many students have been interested to see.

Please share your thoughts on our new spaces by posting a comment below.

Building Program - Week 7 Progress

During the school holidays the builders worked hard on our new learning spaces. They have made such great progress! There are now new windows on the old library building. 

We are now almost at the  halfway mark and each of the spaces is beginning to take shape. The ceiling in the new library has unusual circular features.

In the new Year 6 learning space, we can see new windows being installed and the framework for the rooms inside is now in place.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates of the coming weeks!

Building Program - Week 3 Progress

Our building program has been in full swing for nearly 3 weeks now. We have many different trades people working so hard to rebuild our library and new Year 6 classrooms, as quickly as possible. 





We're getting used to having less space on our playground and everyone is trying to remember not to run, as it's dangerous when our space is limited. 

Although we can hear the noise of the building going on, it really doesn't disrupt our school day. We're used to it by now and it's not very loud anyway. It's the sound of progress!

It was wonderful to watch part of the roof in the old library being replaced with a new frame and covered by a tarpaulin, to keep out the rain. That part of the roof had been badly burnt in the fire. Hopefully, next week we'll see the tiles replaced too. 

Inside the new library space, the preparations are being made for new walls, flooring and shelves. 

Whilst inside the old library, new frames have been erected for the classroom walls.  

My father was a builder, so I love hearing the sounds and smells of building happening around me. It makes me think of him!

Building Program - Week 1 Progress

The builders have already made great progress with the rebuilding of our library and new Year 6 classrooms. 

Firstly, secure fencing was erected to keep students and teachers safe. 

There are new boundaries on the playground and teachers have been vigilant in making sure students stay within these boundaries at all times. 

You can see below that scaffolding has been erected in front of the old library and many other preparations have been made to commence the repair work there.

The old Year 6 classrooms and Drama/Music room have seen the most radical changes this week. The wall between 6B and 6W has been demolished and part of the wall between 6B and the Drama/Music room is also on its way to the rubbish skip. 

What do you think of the progress so far? You can add your comments below this post. When you add a comment, you won't see it straight away. It will come to me first, so I can check it before it appears on my blog.
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