Book Week is always a busy time for the Launceston Grammar School community and this year is no exception. The events began this week on the Junior Campus and with our alumna Indira Naidoo speaking at the Tamar Valley Writers Festival, the celebrations will continue into September. Students have already been looking at nominated books in all categories. Keep reading to find out all about what is happening in 2022.
This year’s theme is Dreaming With Eyes Open.
Junior Campus
Book Week Dress-up day – Friday 26 August
The theme for CBCA Book Week is “Dreaming with eyes open “so students will dress up in Pj’s or as a book character.
Gus Gordon visit
Australian author and illustrator Gus Gordon came to visit the Grade 5 cohort to talk about his picture and short chapter books. He shared some of his writing and illustrating techni
ques, creating a beautiful drawing during his time here. We also learned about his favourite books and inspirations over the years including illustrations from his childhood of his hero Evel Knievel.
Wednesday 24th – 26th Indigenous Literacy Foundation Book Sale.
During Book Week from August 24th – 26th , we will be holding a Book Sale in the Library to raise funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Mrs Lee has been asking each class to donate any children’s books in good condition that they have finished with. These can be donated to the library at any time where they will then be sorted ready for the sale. Students can then buy books at the sale for a gold coin donation . All monies raised will go towards buying books for students at schools in remote parts of Australia. The ILF also translate and publish well known books into Indigenous languages to enable students to learn to read in their own language. In previous years, the school community has kindly supported this event and a total of approximately $4000 has been raised over the last few years. Students have also enjoyed buying some attractive books at a bargain price.
Recently, two of our alumni got together on the radio to talk about Ross Youngman’s fundraising swim for the Indigenous Literary Foundation. He was interviewed by Indira Naidoo on ABC Nightlife and you can listen to the interview here https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/nightlife/aussie-swims-the-english-chanel/13997342.
Ashlyn Mayes
Grade 12 student Ashlyn Mayes spoke to a selected group of Grade 6 students in the library about the negotiated study she undertook in Grade 11 to investigate her Aboriginal ancestry. The result was an engaging and at times challenging journey that she shared with the students.
Senior Campus
A message from Learning Hub Co-ordinator Cherrilyn Parker.
We have a tonne of things happening at the Senior Campus to Celebrate the magnificent world of Literature (Books). There is always a lot to celebrate and a huge ocean of word wizards to look up to and inspire to be.
To kick our week off we have the Launceston Grammar Book Blitz, our version of Write a Book in a Day on Monday 22nd August. The Book Blitz is a fun, creative and collaborative competition for students in years 7 to 10. Teams of up to ten have just 9 hours to write and illustrate a book from start to finish. To make it even more fun, unique parameters must be included in the story.
On Tuesday our much anticipated Book Week Dress Up takes place for students and Staff. Staff are out this year to beat last year’s winner Mrs Stewart, it’s very competitive. There will be a BBQ, Live Music and a Parade happening in the Quad. Prefects will be handing out lollies to anyone Dressed up and the School will come together and enjoy this fun day. Much laughing to be had and of course book vouchers to be won.
Moving onto Wednesday we have our Cake Book Competition. Students and Staff have a chance to take out the prize for best cake. These will be displayed in the Learning Hub. Judging will be taken place during Lunch on the day and again terrific prizes awarded. Our guest Judges this year are Mrs Scott, Mrs Reinmuth and Ms Crane.
Lastly, we have our House public speaking Competition on Thursday 25th August. Each House is represented by two speakers and vies for top honours.
In the words of Neil Gaiman, “Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” This is all true because books live
Launceston Grammar Authors
Indira Naidoo
Indira Naidoo is an author and journalist who is now based in Sydney. We have her books The Edible Balcony and The Edible City in our Learning Hub. Indira will be speaking at the Tamar Valley Writers Festival in Launceston on 6 September.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/indira-naidoo-tickets-388916689287?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1
Dr Nicholas Clements
Dr Clements is a teacher at our Senior Campus and has written two books. Learn more about his writing journey on our website.
https://www.lcgs.tas.edu.au/spotlight-on-learning-dr-nicholas-clements
Tim Brown
Mr Brown teaches on our Junior Campus and self-published the book Grandma’s Spirit whilst living in England. The book deals with some of the challenging situations that children may experience.
https://www.authorhouse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/332947-Grandma-s-Spirit