Scotch College

Real Bloke's Read Books'

Book Week 2000 was celebrated at Scotch from the 19 to 25 of August. The result of a hugely successful collaborative effort between the staff of the Library and the English Department, all year levels were involved in a celebration of books and literature.

Addressing the topical issue that reading for enjoyment is not considered a 'cool' masculine pursuit, we devised a programme which included activities ranging from story telling and author visits to games and quizzes. While many boys at Scotch enjoy books and reading, the Book Week calendar included activities which gathered up the reluctant readers.

The theme of the week, 'Real Blokes Read Books', was the subject under discussion during the Staff/Student Debate. The notion of what constitutes a "Real Bloke" was hotly contested and while the student team put forward some very plausible arguments, the staff team won the contest. The proceedings were good humoured and the audience of students and staff responded very enthusiastically.

Staff across the school were encouraged to participate in the Library's 'Desert Island Reads' display. Staff members were photographed on a desert island with a list of their five favourite books. Another group took part in the Year 7 'Readfest', reading excerpts from prose and poetry.

Authors Philip Gwynne, whose book 'Deadly, Unna?' was Book of the Year in 1999, and James Maloney, author of 'Gracey' which is studied by Year 9 students, each brought their own style and brand of humour when they came to Scotch to chat to the boys about their work . Story teller Anne E.Stewart had the boys spellbound while she wove magic with her voice and hands, introducing them to a world of myths and legends.

Children's Book Week is celebrated annually in August throughout Australia and showcases the winning books in various categories chosen by the Children's Book Council of Australia. Books from various categories were presented by Teacher Librarians during class sessions in the Library and many were inspired to widen their reading experiences. The 'Tony Bones Theatre Company' dramatised 'Tyro' by David McRobbie to great effect in front of an appreciative Year 10 group. This novel examines the thorny issue of bullying in the workplace.

We also had fun playing Celebrity Heads at lunch time and devised quizzes which focussed on themes and characters from fiction, awarding book vouchers and other goodies to the winners and willing participants.

While these activities mentioned above took place during Book Week, the Library staff promotes the love of literature throughout the year. Very popular is the Friday Club where members have an opportunity to spread their literary wings with stimulating activities at school as well as excursions to a variety of outside venues.

Beyond Book Week we are committed to nurturing the development of a reading culture at Scotch, being ardent believers in the old maxim that 'kids that read succeed'.