Australia's Great School Libraries - Honours List
- The Great School Libraries campaign - Summary of Survey report - Education HQ Special Report
- Honours List - Australia's Great School Libraries - ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
- New report shows the impact of teacher librarians on student outcomes - Impact Report - Impact PPT
- Staffing crisis in school libraries
- Call for government to endorse a teacher librarian for every school
- Media release
- Case studies of best practice
- Campaign partners
- Portfolio of great school libraries
- Early campaign materials
The Great School Libraries campaign
In October 2015, FAIR (Freedom of Access to Information and Resources) joined with library associations and EducationHQ to seek nominations of Great School Libraries across the nation.
We were looking for libraries that help children and young people find reliable information; use the information effectively; think critically; make informed decisions; work productively with others; build knowledge and understanding of the world; safely navigate the internet; communicate and share their ideas; and find great reads to meet personal interests and abilities.
Nearly 600 students, teachers, parents, principals, library staff and other members of the community nominated more than 200 school libraries across Australia. There was a good mix of government, Catholic and independent; K-12, primary and secondary schools, and supporting materials included drawings, stories, quotes and photographs showing how much these libraries are valued.
Download Summary of Survey Report
Download the Education HQ Special Report
We asked nominators to respond to 10 questions and this is what they told us.
1. Is there a qualified teacher librarian managing the library?
The campaign was open to all school libraries but it was clear from the nominations that a qualified teacher librarian was an enormous asset. More than 90% of the nominations were for schools employing a teacher librarian.
“Mrs X was my favourite teacher at high school. Honestly think I wouldn't have made to uni without her encouragement and teaching.”
“She is phenomenal. The reason this library is so successful is due to her efforts. She has made the space a warm and inviting learning hub for both teachers and students.”
“Not a single event happens at our school which does not have X's signature or touch on it. I have nicknamed her GLUE as she holds us all together. She is our Librarian as well as on the Executive team as a coordinator but she holds many roles, including support for our IT personnel. She also manages the Gifted and Talented Program and so much more. She is irreplaceable.”
2. Is the library open whenever the school is open?
92% of schools were open for the same hours as the school and many libraries offered extended hours for use by students, teachers and the wider community. Some were open for up to 12 hours a day.
“We are open from 7.30am until 7.30pm Monday to Thursdays, and 7.30am until 5pm on Fridays. We also open on Sundays in peak senior exam periods.”
“We often have kids and parents dropping in before or after school. The library is open every lunch time for reading, games and computer. We also have a chess club once a week.”
“It is used by the chess club, Minecraft club and early bird reading buddies, and volunteers tutor students with homework.”
3. Can students learn information skills in the school library?
95% of the nominated school libraries were said to support students learning information skills.
“The library staff run information skills lessons throughout their library program, including targeted programs for Year 11 students. They also have run great Professional Learning for staff.”
“Our students are able to learn how to reference, how to use databases and how to find books. Essentially, they are taught the skills that they will need to become life-long learners and prepare for university. Additionally, the library has created an online resource to ensure that all of our students have the opportunity to find valuable sources.”
“The Librarian holds extra instruction classes in a number of areas to assist students, eg using technology, such as Google apps, study skills, research skills.”
4. Can students borrow the resources they need, when they need them?
96% of the nominated libraries had resources available for students at the time they needed them, often 24/7 for digital access.
“Our students can reserve and renew resources online 24/7 and have access to traditional as well as ebooks.”
“Students have the capacity to suggest new resources for the library. The resource is sourced, purchased, catalogued, processed and delivered to the student in the shortest amount of time possible.”
“So convenient! If I need a book on a particular topic, I just go and borrow it any time.”
5. Can you borrow popular fiction without a long waiting period?
94% of nominated school libraries had sufficient popular fiction on the shelf to satisfy the needs of their students. Balancing the breadth and depth of the collection is one of the skills of the librarian, to ensure that keen readers have access to their favourite author, the next title in the series or the latest move tie-in.
“We have a wide range of popular fiction so even if a particular title is unavailable, books in the same series or similar can be borrowed.”
“The library has a large collection of current fiction as well as an extensive manga collection.”
“Our librarians have their finger on the pulse and they really have a great list of popular books for the girls to borrow. And they are always open to suggestions for new items.”
6. Is there enough space for a whole class to fit into the library?
97% of the nominated schools could fit a whole class into their library, and in the case of one small school in regional WA: “On occasions we fit the whole school in!”
“We can accommodate five classes, with additional tutorial rooms, casual areas, outside decking and a state of the art video conferencing facility.”
“It's just been refurbished and is colourful, vibrant, interesting, and encourages collaboration and experiences, not silent isolated working.”
“There are many different working areas in our Library, from study nooks, to booths which are great for discussion as well as tutorial rooms and open areas with couches and beanbags for reading periods.”
7. Is there high speed access to the internet?
Location and funding were the limiting factors for the 9% of nominated school libraries where there was not always high speed access to the internet.
“This is an area that the school would like to improve as the library relies on technology and wifi can be an issue in ensuring lessons run smoothly. This is simply down to money!”
“But at peak times it can slow down. Hopefully the new server will address some of the issue. A full fibre connection is needed and hopefully will be funded by a future government to assist student access to information.”
8. Are students encouraged to use online resources?
This was said to be the case in 96% of nominated schools. Where there was less access to online resources, this was linked to funding and Department of Education security filters. Not only were students encouraged to use online resources, but many nominators commented on the role of the school library in promoting cybersafe practices.
“My daughter was proud to tell me all about how she was learning to code (Year 3/4) using Scratch.”
“Students access a wide range of online resources including websites, databases, Edmodo blog and Survey Monkey (to self reflect on students' learning).”
“100% Yes! The teacher librarian takes classes through school terms and guides students on how to access and use our schools database. But it doesn't stop there, the library staff also assist students on how to use and access our online resources during recess and lunch, study periods, class time and whenever a student needs assistance.”
9. Are there special activities, for example Book Week, the Premier’s Reading Challenge?
Book Week celebrations, reading challenges, manga illustration sessions and author visits in 97% of the nominated libraries have generated publicity for the school and promoted books and reading. Minecraft, coding, Science Week, Library Hacks and similar tech-related activities have encouraged students who are less keen on reading to use the library and its resources. Events such as Grandparents and Special Persons days, NAIDOC Week, ANZAC memorials and charity fundraisers have enhanced the visibility of the library and its contribution to the wider community.
“Book Week, Victorian Premiers' Reading Challenge, Student Book Clubs, Robotics Club, Chess Club, Lego Club, after school tuition support.”
“Also ... World Read Out Loud Day, World Dot Day, Indigenous Literacy, Maker days, Book Face Fridays, Book Speed Dating, Hour of Code, Robotics, Tinkering activities and author visits.”
“The Staff encourage activities and displays from all areas within the school. Music Week had musicians in the library at lunchtime playing, maths teachers are encouraged to display work, and so on.”
10. Do students, parents and teachers think the library is AWESOME?
Nearly every nominated school library was described as ‘awesome’ (98%) for a variety of reasons – the physical space; the digital experience; the warm welcome for students, teachers, parents and the wider community; the print collections and electronic resources; the evolution of the library into a 21st century learning place; the ‘wow’ factor of a vibrant, quirky, well-designed, highly active, special space with library and information professionals who support students of all ages.
“When parents are brought through the school for orientation, they are always blown away by our library space.”
“Students, parents and staff are impressed with the terrific and changeable displays and vitality. It is a learning exchange saturated in information and technology.”
“Best staff in the library ever. So helpful. They are extremely professional.”
Honours List - Australia’s Great School Libraries
By popular nomination, this is the list of 213 Great School Libraries for 2015.
ACT
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School |
Location |
Principal or Head of School |
Library |
Brindabella Christian College |
Lyneham |
Bruce Handley |
Rachel Richards |
Campbell High School |
Campbell |
Heather Paterson |
Keith Mullumby |
Curtin Primary School |
Curtin |
Merryn O'Dea |
Jane Steinback |
Lake Tuggeranong College |
Greenway |
Julie Murkins |
Holly Godfree, Lori Korodaj |
Latham Primary School |
Latham |
Liz Bobos |
Heather Govender |
Lyneham Primary School |
Lyneham |
Annamaria Zuffo |
Olivia Neilson |
Marist College Canberra |
Pearce |
Richard Sidorko |
Tehani Wessely |
Melrose High School |
Pearce |
Simon Vaughan |
Ruth Mahon |
St Anthony's Primary School |
Wanniassa |
Greg Walker |
Danille Richardson |
St Francis Xavier College |
Florey |
Angus Tulley |
Bernadette Bradley |
St Joseph's Primary School |
O'Connor |
Sue Dempsey |
Catherine Parmenter |
St Monica's Primary School |
Evatt |
Carmel Maguire |
Rachael Hind |
Trinity Christian School |
Wanniassa |
Andrew Clayton |
Maree Crofts |
NSW
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School |
Location |
Principal or Head of School |
Library |
Abbotsleigh |
Wahroonga |
Judith Poole |
Bronwyn Foxall |
Abermain Public School |
Abermain |
Ian Lamph |
Amanda Craig |
All Saints Catholic Senior College |
Casula |
David Fetterplace |
Heather Jesuadian |
Auburn North Public School |
Auburn |
Mark Harris |
Catherine Clift |
Avondale School |
Cooranbong |
David Faull |
Sue Blyde |
Belair Public School |
Adamstown |
Karin Hird |
Nyssa Kelly |
Beresfield Public School |
Beresfield |
Jonathan Ridgway |
Karen Meyer |
Bomaderry High School |
Bomaderry |
Jill Appleton |
Marion Hing |
Bonnyrigg High School |
Bonnyrigg |
Michael Bryce |
Maria Sander Burns |
Caddies Creek Public School |
Glenwood |
David Beggs |
Jenny Scheffers |
Callaghan College Jesmond |
Jesmond |
Allen Littlewood |
Flavia Quintiliani-Johns |
Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School |
Ewingsdale |
Nerrida Johnson |
Charlotte Jenkin |
Central Coast Grammar School |
Erina Heights |
Bill Low |
Gill Martin |
Cerdon College |
Merrylands |
Patricia Baker |
Nancy Sylaprany |
Cessnock West Public School |
Cessnock |
Ruth McGlashan |
Jae Rolt |
Christian Brothers' High School |
Lewisham |
Paul Conn |
Tanya Toohey |
Clancy Catholic College |
West Hoxton |
Iris Nastasi |
Alison Rooke |
Clemton Park Public School |
Earlwood |
Angelica Lapi |
Mary Nikolakopoulos |
Colo Vale Public School |
Colo Vale |
Jenny Quist |
Anne Wood |
Eden Marine High School |
Eden |
Ian Moorehead |
Kaylene Taylor |
Emmanuel Anglican College |
Ballina |
Robert Tobias |
Victoria Maddock |
Holy Spirit College |
Lakemba |
Raymond Martin |
Caroline Vassarroti |
Hunter Valley Grammar School |
Ashtonfield |
Paul Teys |
Elaine Barker |
Lapstone Public School |
Glenbrook |
Dianne Knight |
Elizabeth McKintyre |
Loreto Kirribilli |
Kirribilli |
Anna Dickinson |
Judith Hurst |
Loyola Senior High School |
Mount Druitt |
Catherine Larkin |
Lynette Hodgson |
MacKillop College |
Port Macquarie |
Mrs Anne O'Brien |
Suzanne Penson |
Marian Catholic College |
Kenthurst |
Jayne Campbell |
Jody McDonnell |
McCallums Hill Public School |
Roselands |
Georgia Constanti |
Cathy Drury |
Moss Vale High School |
Moss Vale |
Peter Macbeth |
Katie Cripps |
Mount Annan Christian College |
Mount Annan |
Nathan Gray |
Jill Turner |
Newington College |
Stanmore |
David Mulford |
Yvonne Smith |
Parkes High School |
Parkes |
Sandra Carter |
Tracy Dawson |
Queanbeyan South Public School |
Queanbeyan |
Adam Zanco |
Sandy Swift |
Shore Preparatory School |
North Sydney |
Nick Saunders |
Margo Pickworth |
Smith's Hill High School |
Wollongong |
David Deitz |
Julie Farquhar |
St Andrew's Cathedral School |
Sydney |
John Collier |
Jenny Kemp |
St Andrew's Primary School |
Marayong |
Michael Tonnet |
Debbie Ross |
St Edward's College |
Gosford |
Michael Slattery |
Monica Mayer |
St Felix Catholic School |
Bankstown |
Lisa Harbrow |
Sylvia Braden |
St George's Basin Public School |
Basin View |
Kathy Rembisz |
Anita Morgan |
St Joseph's Catholic College |
East Gosford |
Tony McCudden |
Karen Powers |
St Joseph's Catholic High School |
Albion Park |
John Barrington |
Frances Schneider |
St Joseph's Regional College |
Port Macquarie |
Jim Dempsey |
Karen Bale |
St Margaret Mary's |
Sydney |
Kevin Mills |
Michele Balogh-Caristo |
St Mary's Primary School |
Young |
Louise Grant |
Joanne Murphy |
St Michael's Catholic Primary School |
West Ryde |
Brian Story |
Josephine Celati |
St Michael's Catholic Primary School |
Belfield |
Judith Gastin |
Mary Hill |
St Paul's Catholic College |
Greystanes |
David Bourne |
Sharon Malcolm |
St Vincent's College |
Potts Point |
Anne Fry |
Suzana Sukovic |
Stockton Public School |
Stockton |
Tracey Frazer |
Cate Pearce |
Sydney Grammar School |
Sydney |
John Vallance |
John Hughes |
Tangara School for Girls |
Cherrybrook |
Katrina George |
Gail Staples |
Thirlmere Public School |
Thirlmere |
Lisa Whitfield |
Gaby Gutjahr |
Thirroul Public School |
Thirroul |
Gary Graham |
Sharon McGuinness |
Trinity Grammar School |
Summer Hill |
Milton Cujes |
Stefanie Gaspari |
Tyndale Christian School |
Blacktown |
Jack Joyce |
Margaret Aitchison |
Warners Bay High School |
Warners Bay |
Sharon Parkes |
Liza Moss |
Westdale Public School |
Tamworth |
Ben van Aanholt |
Zoe Morris |
Wiley Park Public School |
Wiley Park |
Rene Demos |
Gillian Maugle |
William Carey Christian School |
Prestons |
Keith McMullen |
Dawn Smith |
William Clarke College |
Kellyville |
David Raphael |
John Stanton |
Windang Public School |
Windang |
Alisa Mcdonald (relief) |
Kylie McCarthy |
Winmalee Public School |
Winmalee |
Sharon Gordon |
Joanne Wilkinson |
NT
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School |
Location |
Principal or Head of School |
Library |
Marrara Christian College |
Marrara |
Andrew Manning |
David Parkin |
QLD
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School |
Location |
Principal or Head of School |
Library |
Allenstown State School |
Rockhampton |
Jenny Archer |
Tanya Gill |
Alligator Creek State School |
Mackay |
Peter Stansfield |
Sandy Amoore |
Bribie Island State School |
Bongaree |
Paul Pickering |
Karena Aczel |
Browns Plains State High School |
Browns Plains |
Michael O’Connor |
Fiona Campbell |
Canungra State School |
Canungra |
Sheree Maksoud |
Katherine Hodges |
Chisholm Catholic College |
Logan |
Martina Millard |
Monique McQueen |
Fairholme College |
Toowoomba |
Linda Evans |
Melanie Hassell |
Faith Lutheran College |
Thornlands |
Anthony Mueller |
Cheryl Kung |
Gin Gin State High School |
Gin Gin |
Robin Rayner |
Glenda George |
Glennie School Junior Years |
Toowoomba |
Wendy Ashley-Cooper |
Marie Miegel |
Home Hill High School |
Home Hill |
Frank Kingma |
Lisa Todeshino |
Indooroopilly State High School |
Indooroopilly |
Lois O'Reilly |
Mirva Harrison |
Iona College |
Lindum |
Michael Twigg |
Carolyn Shaw |
John Paul College |
Logan |
Peter Foster |
Marilyn Fry |
Kingaroy State High School |
Kingaroy |
Ashley Roediger |
Judy Conomos |
Kirwan State High School |
Townsville |
Meredith Wenta |
Elena Hawkins |
Lourdes Hill College |
Hawthorne |
Robyn Anderson |
Noeleen Fleming |
Mango Hill State School |
Mango Hill |
Tracy Egan |
Suzette Holm |
Marsden State High School |
Waterford West |
Andrew Peach |
Jenna Cullen |
Mary MacKillop College |
Brisbane |
Christine Clarke |
Melinda Strickland |
Marymount Primary School |
Burleigh Waters |
Greg Casey |
John Jensen |
Moreton Bay College |
Manly West |
James Sloman |
Dajo Finlayson |
Mount Alvernia College |
Kedron |
Kerrie Tuite |
Helen Stower |
North Rockhampton State High School |
North Rockhampton |
Janet Young |
Barbara May |
Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School |
Caloundra |
Andrew Oberthur |
Keiran Chandler-Pennisi |
Our Lady's College |
Annerley |
Paula Goodwin |
Maureen Twomey |
Queensland Academy for Health Sciences |
Southport |
Jane Sleeman |
Helen Reynolds |
Ravenshoe State School-Primary Campus |
Ravenshoe |
Henry Condon |
Alita Stewart |
Southport School Preparatory School |
Southport |
Jeff Symms |
Deb Schinckel |
St Andrew's Catholic College |
Redlynch |
Lee MacMaster |
Verdi Reid |
St Andrews Lutheran College |
Mudgeeraba |
Timothy Kotzur |
Julia Boulton |
St Anthony's School |
Kedron |
Vyvyen Menegon |
Judy Blyth |
St Eugene College |
Burpengary |
Jim Midgeley |
Janice Chilcott |
St Joseph's College Gregory Terrace |
Spring Hill |
Michael Carroll |
Melinda Egan |
St Patrick's College |
Mackay |
Janelle Agius |
Ms Jan Barnett |
St Peters Lutheran College |
Indooroopilly |
Adrian Wiles |
Jan Lewis |
Swayneville State School |
Sarina |
Roslyn Waldron |
Jacki Lamont |
Trinity Anglican School |
Earlville |
Margaret Kennedy (acting) |
Clare Minchin |
Tullawong State High School |
Caboolture |
Debra Murphy |
Lesley Grove |
Warwick West State School |
Warwick |
Jason Calcott |
Sue Higgins |
Weir State School |
Townsville |
Jennifer Vanderjagt |
Doug Croker |
Wellington Point State High School |
Wellington Point |
Sue Dalton |
Penny Westcott |
West End State School |
Brisbane |
Judy Thompson |
Tania Venuto |
Yangan State School |
Yangan |
Ian Rathmell |
Ann Smith |
SA
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School |
Location |
Principal or Head of School |
Library |
Aberfoyle Park Campus |
Aberfoyle |
Nigel Bennett, Shaun Coghlan, Greg Haynes |
Jo Schenkel |
Ardtornish Primary |
St Agnes |
Mark Hansen |
Jane Moore |
Cornerstone College |
Mount Barker |
Craig Fielke |
Barbara O'Connor |
Hawker Area School |
Hawker |
Beth Walsh |
Sacha Uern |
Kidman Park Primary School |
Kidman Park |
John Clarke |
Lois Burrow |
Lake Windemere B-7 School |
Salisbury North |
Carmine Cafasso |
Hajnalka Molloy |
Marden Senior College |
Marden |
Mr Stephen Inglis |
Sue Johnston |
Modbury High School |
Modbury |
Martin Rumsby |
Linda Guthrie |
Open Access College |
Marden |
Julie Taylor |
Sue Johnston |
St Ignatius' College |
Norwood |
Shaun Fitzpatrick |
Jane Moran |
St Aloysius College |
Adelaide |
Paddy McEvoy |
Carol Grantham |
St Johns Grammar School |
Belair |
Cheryl Bauer, Frank Ali (Junior) |
Shayne King, Jane Knox (Junior) |
St Marys College |
Adelaide |
Eileen Young |
Eileen McCabe |
St Peter's Woodlands Grammar School |
Glenelg |
Christopher Prance |
Annette Mesecke |
St Monica's Parish School |
Walkerville |
Greg Parker |
Debbie Lauder |
Tenison Woods College |
Mount Gambier |
David Mezinec |
Alexandra Nicholson |
Thebarton Senior College |
Torrensville |
Eva Kannis-Torry |
Wendy Rutten |
Thomas More College |
Salisbury |
Andrew Balkwill |
Frances Kranendonk |
Unley High School |
Netherby |
Brenda Harris |
Jenny Brisbane |
Victor Harbor High School |
Victor Harbor |
Amanda O'Shea |
Mandy Kerby |
Westminster Preparatory School |
Adelaide |
Grant Bock |
Julia Baldwin |
Woodcroft College |
Morphett Vale |
Mark Porter |
Tina Jameson |
TAS
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School |
Location |
Principal or Head of School |
Library |
Aboriginal Education Service and English as an Additional Language Program |
Hobart |
Sally Duay, Richard Angus |
Mary Blake |
Albuera Street Prmary school |
Hobart |
Kerry McMinn |
Veronica Brunton |
Deloraine Primary School |
Deloraine |
Jeanagh Viney |
Karen Groenewold |
Devonport Christian School |
Don |
Melanie Woods |
Karen Groenewold |
Don College |
Devonport |
John Thompson |
Felicity Sly |
Guilford Young College |
Glenorchy |
Bobby Court |
Linda Abblitt |
Ogilvie High School |
Hobart |
Julie Bird |
Isobel Williams |
Riverside Primary School |
Riverside |
Jane Bovill |
Roslyn Lippis |
Rosny College |
Rosny Park |
Deb Day |
Sally Ludford/Bronwen Sealy |
Sacred Heart College |
New Town |
Craig Deayton |
Dawn Price |
St Brigid's Catholic School |
New Norfolk |
Joy Matar |
Trudi Fielding |
St Patrick's College |
Prospect Vale |
Simon Cobiac |
Robyn McKenzie |
The Hutchins School |
Sandy Bay |
Warwick Dean |
Jill Abell |
VIC
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School |
Location |
Principal or Head of School |
Library |
Auburn High School |
Auburn |
Maria Karvouni |
Bronwen Ch'ng |
Buninyong Primary School |
Buninyong |
Bernie Conlan |
Kathleen Cassell |
Camberwell Girls' Grammar School |
Canterbury |
Debbie Dunwoody |
Anne Devenish |
Christian College Geelong |
Highton |
Glen McKeeman |
Christine Lean |
Craigieburn South Primary School |
Craigieburn |
Stella Garreffa |
Elizabeth Andrews |
Emmanuel College |
Warrnambool |
Peter Morgan |
Margaret Sinnott |
Fitzroy High School |
North Fitzroy |
Pauline Rice |
Annie Durbridge |
Genazzano FCJ College |
Kew |
Patricia Cowling |
Susan La Marca |
Gilson College |
Taylors Hill |
Mark Vodell |
Zdenka Kukolja |
Gippsland Grammar School |
Sale |
David Baker |
Marianne Lee |
Gleneagles Secondary College |
Endeavour Hills |
Sue Peddlesden |
Lynne Moller |
Haileybury College Castlefield |
Brighton |
Scott Doran |
Susan Osborne |
Hillcrest Christian College |
Clyde North |
Greg Weaver |
Michelle Nye |
Ivanhoe Grammar School |
Ivanhoe |
Gerard Foley |
Wendy Logan |
John Paul College |
Frankston |
Jane Tibb |
Cairistiona Tait |
Killester College |
Springvale |
Leanne Di Stefano |
Faye Jamieson |
Kilvington Grammar School |
Ormond |
John Charlton |
Jane Viner |
Korowa Anglican Girls' School |
Glen Iris |
Christine Jenkins |
Linda Kolevas |
Marian College |
Sunshine West |
Rita Grima, Ray Psani |
Sharon Hayes |
Mater Christi College |
Belgrave |
Mary Fitz-Gerald |
Jennifer Cain |
Mazenod College |
Mulgrave |
Christian Fini |
Camilla Elliott |
Melbourne Girls Grammar |
South Yarra |
Catherine Misson |
Gabrielle Wong |
Mentone Girls' Grammar School |
Mentone |
Fran Reddan |
David Feighan |
Mercy College |
Coburg |
Michelle Cotter |
Anne Girolami |
Mount Waverley Primary School |
Mount Waverley |
Greg Paine |
Jacqueline Griffeth |
Resurrection House |
Essendon |
Hermina Widlarz |
Deann Keane |
Sacré Cœur |
Glen Iris |
Maureen Ryan |
Sharon Roth |
Shepparton High School |
Shepparton |
Phil Squire |
Zarina Fleming |
Siena College |
Camberwell |
Gaynor Robson-Garth |
Vicki Hudson |
St Francis Xavier College |
Berwick |
Vincent Feeney |
Anne Fuller |
St Helena Secondary College |
Eltham North |
Karen Terry |
Sophie Blake |
St Kevin's College |
Toorak |
Stephen Russell |
Julie Pagliaro |
St Leonard's College Junior School |
Brighton East |
Pat Kenny |
Amanda White |
St Martin of Tours |
Rosanna |
Patricia Stewart |
Kim Yeoman |
St Patricks College |
Ballarat |
John Crowley |
Julia Petrov |
Sunbury Downs College |
Sunbury |
Maria Oddo |
Joy Burlak |
Westbourne Grammar School |
Truganina |
Meg Hansen |
Bronwyn MacDonald |
Western Heights College |
Hamlyn Heights |
Ralph Shaw (Acting) |
Kerrie Sirotich |
Wooranna Park Primary School |
Dandenong North |
Ray Trotter |
Debra Nugent |
WA
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School |
Location |
Principal or Head of School |
Library |
Chisholm Catholic College |
Bedford |
John Bormolini |
Cally Black |
Churchlands Senior High School |
Churchlands |
Neil Hunt |
Sally Morris, Jane Price |
Helena College Glen Forrest Campus |
Glen Forrest |
Ian Lyons |
Rebecca Murray |
Iona Presentation College |
Mosman Park |
Anne Pitos |
Leonie McIlvenny |
Lynwood Senior High School |
Parkwood |
Andrew Jack |
Jennifer Currie |
Mandurah Baptist College |
Lakelands |
Tracey Holmes |
Lynne Sim |
Mandurah Catholic College |
Mandurah |
Andrew Watson |
Sarah Love |
Methodist Ladies' College |
Claremont |
Rebecca Cody |
Deborah Bourke |
Ocean Reef Senior High School |
Ocean Reef |
Karon Brookes |
Sarah Betteridge |
Penrhos College |
Como |
Meg Melville |
Amanda Stewart |
Santa Maria College |
Attadale |
Ian Elder |
Tracey Rouhiainen, Nicole Chandler |
Sevenoaks Senior College |
Cannington |
Kath Partridge |
Natasha Georgiou |
St Hilda's Anglican School For Girls |
Mosman Park |
Kim Kiepe |
Sandra Naude |
St Mark's Anglican Community School |
Hillarys |
Cameron Herbert |
Shirley McKibbin |
St Norbert College |
Queens park |
Annette Morey |
Maureen Smith |
St Stephen's |
Duncraig |
Tracey Gray |
Jo-Anne Urquhart |
Tranby College |
Baldivis |
Clayton Massey |
Louise Koch and Deborah Merrett |
New report shows the impact of teacher librarians on student outcomes
At the same time as announcing the 2015 Great School Libraries, FAIR has published a new report on the impact of school libraries and teacher librarians, focusing on the three areas where libraries make a unique contribution – reading, digital literacy, critical thinking and research skills.
These three drivers represent vital elements of a student’s educational experience. They are building blocks for learning and underpin every aspect of the Australian Curriculum. However, Australia has a long way to go to ensure that all students benefit from these skills.
- The Australian Early Development Census 2015 results show that nearly one in five five-year-olds in Australia are at risk of not achieving a good standard of reading.
- The National Assessment Program – ICT Literacy Report 2014 found that 45% of Year 6 students failed to reach the proficient standard and 48% of Year 10 students. This was a drop in performance compared with the 2011 of 22 scale points for Year 6 students and 39 scale points for Year 10 students.
Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald on 18 November 2015, Dr Michael Phillips, lecturer in digital technologies in the Faculty of Education at Monash University, said, “One of the challenges for ‘general capabilities’ such as ICT is that all teachers in all subject areas are supposed to contribute to student knowledge and skill development. While this is a laudable objective, it does mean that the responsibility for teaching these digital literacy skills does not reside with an easily identifiable teacher or group of teachers as is the case for mathematics, English or science.”
FAIR proposes that school libraries and teacher librarians are perfectly placed to help instil these skills and further investment in school libraries and qualified teacher librarians is essential if Australian students are to fulfil their potential.
' The Impact of Great School Libraries Report 2016'
Impact of Great School Libraries Powerpoint
Staffing crisis in school libraries
FAIR’s newly released report on the impact of school libraries and teacher librarians includes further analysis of the Staff in Australia’s Schools survey from the Australian Council for Education Research (ACER), which shows that in 2013 only 4-5% of primary teachers and 2-3% of secondary teachers were working in a library role. This compared with 5% of secondary teachers involved in LOTE, 5% computing and 6% special needs.
The ACER findings suggested that fewer early career teachers are entering library roles in schools and more than a third of primary teachers and a quarter of secondary teachers in a library role had not undertaken any tertiary study in library and information science.
It also shows that the students who most need teacher librarians are the least well served, “Between 2010 and 2013 there is evidence of a greater number of teachers in library roles in high socio-economic (SES) schools and correspondingly fewer in low SES schools.”
From these statistics, it is clear that there needs to be a significantly increased emphasis on attracting, training and employing qualified teacher librarians in primary and secondary schools if the desired student outcomes are to be achieved.
For more information, contact fair@alia.org.au.
Call for government to endorse a teacher librarian for every school
FAIR’s sign off to its new report on the impact of school libraries and teacher librarians is a call for the Australian Government to endorse the goal of a teacher librarian for every school.
The report states, “Federal, State and Territory Governments’ acknowledgement of the vital role of school libraries in supporting reading, digital literacy, critical thinking and research skills, together with a strong recommendation from Education Ministers about the employment of teacher librarians and qualified library staff in schools within their jurisdiction, would be a significant step forward. Further, it would be of benefit to look for innovative ways of providing access to teacher librarians where there is not the critical mass to support a full-time appointment and to incentivise principals to employ teacher librarians where there is a large student body.”
FAIR and its library association partners will be pursuing this conversation with the Federal Government in the coming months.
Case studies
Examples of best practice from Great School Libraries.
Portfolio of Great School Libraries
Check out all the great photos and videos in our portfolio.
Campaign partners
Joining FAIR to produce this campaign were:
- Australian Library and Information Association
- ALIA Schools
- Australian School Library Association
- Queensland School Library Association
- School Library Association of NSW
- School Library Association of South Australia
- School Library Association of Victoria
- Western Australian School Library Association
- EducationHQ
Early campaign materials
This campaign is now closed but see the earlier published campaign material.