Barbreck Book Week
Monday 19 August to Friday 23 August

As we head towards our 2024 Book Week celebrations, all Junior School and ELC Library classes will focus on getting to know many of the books featured in the 2024 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards Shortlists.

In the lead up to Book Week, students will vote for their favourite books determining the winning books according to our students. The winning books, according to the official Judges, and according to our Barbreck students, will be revealed at a special Book Week Assembly. 

Some of the activities planned for Book Week, and in the weeks before and after, are listed below:  

Book Week Competition  
Monday 12 August to Wednesday 21 August 

Students will have the opportunity to match nominated ‘magic’ children’s books to Barbreck staff members. The books featured are ones that have been magic for the mystery staff member.  

Clues will be provided in the Barbreck Library to help students complete their entry form. Only one entry per student. All correct entries, or entries with the highest number of correct answers, will go into a draw for a mystery prize.  

Prize categories will be: 

• Prep to Year 2 

• Years 3 and 4 students 

• Years 5 and 6 students 

The correct matches and winners will be revealed at our Book Week Assembly on Thursday 22 August from 9.00am till 10.00am. 

Book Week Themed Performance – Maybe A Miracle! 
Tuesday 6 August: Prep to Year 6 

MAYBE A MIRACLE! by Perform Education, is a highly interactive musical exploration of making the most of even the most ordinary situations and a celebration of the power of positive thinking. It is a joyful leap into the world of imagination that books inspire every individual to be part of, while featuring a selection of the 2024 CBCA Shortlisted books to help point the way. 

Lunchtime Lucky Reading 
Monday 19 August to Wednesday 21 August: Prep to Year 6 

Students are invited to find a cosy place in Barbreck and enjoy some quiet reading time throughout Book Week. Students who immerse themselves in a book for the whole lunchtime open time (1.20pm to 1.55pm) will be provided an entry ticket for the Lunchtime Lucky Reading Competition. Winners will be drawn at our Book Week Assembly on Thursday 22 August. 

Emma Bowd – Guest Author 
Tuesday 20 August: Prep to Year 3 

Award-winning author Emma Bowd will be presenting sessions to our Prep to Year 3 students during Book Week. Emma’s children’s books include This Is My Happy Place, The Day You Were Born and Wonderful Shoes. Students are welcome to bring along their own copies of Emma’s books to be signed on the day. More information about Emma Bowd and her books can be found here. 

ELC Bluegum & Waratah Children Book Week Dress Up Day 
Tuesday 20 August 

Students and staff in our Early Learning Bluegum and Waratah Rooms are invited to come to school dressed as a book character, or something related to the Book Week theme ‘Reading is Magic!’ on Tuesday 20 August. 

Book Week Dress Up Parade and Book Week Assembly 
Thursday 22 August: ELC Banksia & Wattle Children and Prep to Year 6 

Students and staff in the ELC Banksia and Wattle Rooms along with our Prep to Year 6 Barbreck students and staff are invited to come to school dressed as a book character for the day, or as something related to the Book Week theme ‘Reading is Magic!”  

Please keep in mind that simple, creative costumes are often the best! If you are looking for inspiration, please drop in to the Barbreck Library and browse through our wonderful collection.  

The Book Week Assembly will run on Thursday 22 August from 9.00am to 10.00am and will include our annual Book Week Dress Up Parade, and presentation from our Library Captains. 

Our Captains will announce the winning books from both The Children’s Book Council of Australia 2024 shortlists and our own St Catherine’s students’ votes. Winners of our Book Week Competitions – Lunchtime Lucky Readers and Staff Magic Books will also be announced. 

Parents are warmly invited to attend the Book Week Assembly. 

Nova Weetman – Guest Author  
Monday 26 August: Years 4 to 6 

Award-winning author Nova Weetman will be presenting sessions to our Years 4 to 6 students. Nova’s Young Adult books include Sick Bay, The Edge of Thirteen and The Secrets We Keep, along with many more. Students are welcome to bring along their own copies of Nova’s books to be signed on the day. More information about Nova Weetman and her books can be found here.