A real sign of normality

On Monday, public health orders meant that cohorting groups by grade ended in New South Wales schools. For school libraries, it has meant the end of restricting access to students e.g. One year group utilses the library at lunch time on one day and another year group the following day.

I felt good that anyone who wishes to use the library, especially during break times can do so again. It has been challenging having to turn students away simply because they were not in that grade. Some students have not enjoyed this, because they love the library as a space to undertake private study or simply to escape the activity that occurs on the playground. 

The bigger challenge will be if the hordes return, which is common in many schools. Will students feel comfortable to visit the library when there are alot of their peers around?

Being in a secondary setting, I believe it is important to establish a rapport with the incoming Year 7 cohorts. We lost four weeks and it was their first four weeks of high school. This did not happen at this time last year. They are keen to make use of what the school has to offer, including their library. They are curious as well. They want to see what they can borrow and read. I will need to identify ways to bring them in, but I was encouraged by their turnout during their designated times in cohorting. 

Reading and Wellbeing

Last week, I attended Reading for Wellbeing presented by Judith Wellman as part of the School Library Association of NSW (SLANSW) conference - Reach out through Reading.

It was a highly informative presentation and gained some new insights that I didn't expect to know.

One point that was emphasised is that we should get to know Student Welfare officers and school counsellors who can guide Teacher Librarians to identify issues that may be need to be focused on.

Doom and gloom seems to be state of the world at the moment, but literature can help us address them through reading stories that are motivating and inspiring.

The COVID19 outbreak is one such example. Should we be looking at stories that focus on overcoming health challenges in our lives.

Climate Change is another example. Cli-fi can be used to address this.

At the end of the day, literature relating to our wellbeing can help us build resilence in times of need but also help one another combat the day to day challenges that may confront us.

Reading and Wellbeing - The Pretest

The School Library Association of NSW is hosting the first of its two biannual conferences at the State Library of NSW this week.

I have decided to attend a workshop that will focus on reading and wellbeing.

I have challenged myself to undertake a pretest where I will brainstorm what I think about reading and wellbeing.

Next week, I will look back and reflect on what I wrote.

Reading and wellbeing...

• Calms one down when they are anxious and down.
• Stimulates the brain.
• Great recreational activity.
• Motivates people
• Allows one to play with their imagination.
• Settles a class down, especially at the start of the period.
• Can improve concentration in classroom settings and in general.
• Relaxes people (even sends them to sleep)
• Empowers other people

Reading Reduces Anxiety - Newsletter article

Below is a short feature that I put in the school newsletter this week focusing on reading and anxiety.

According to Beyond Blue, 7% of Australian adolescents have experienced an Anxiety Disorder while around 3% have experienced a depressive disorder. Research by the Black Dog Institute has shown that 25% of adolescents are at risk of developing mental illness at some point in their lives. 

In recent times, researchers have examined whether or not reading can reduce anxiety, known as bibliotherapy. Evidence has suggested that reading a good book can reduce anxiety.

How? Reading a book allows a person to escape from the problems that they are facing, and can enter into another world. Reading can also allow a person to develop a sense of compassion and empathy but also aid in healing.

Sometimes our day doesn’t turn out the way that we wish for. Reading for pleasure is a great way to unwind after a long day at school. 

And if you are someone who travels a long way to school on public transport, reading can make the journey much more relaxing and makes the time go faster. Disruptions with your bus or train won’t be so frustrating.