Desirable Difficulty

Posted on May 4, 2014 by sshslibrary

First Lunch Break

We’re back to our usual expectations this term. First break rules are not up for negotiation. We expect only homework, research or reading at first break. Students playing games, hanging out or making noise will not be welcome.

Anzac Day Display

A huge thankyou to the RSL for lending us their military memorabilia displays for the week, so we could commemorate our most popular national day.

Farewell Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Read his BBC Obituary. We have some of his titles in Fiction, including the 1982 nobel prize winner’s most famous novel, “One Hundred Years of Solitude”, acclaimed by many to be one of the greatest novels of the Twentieth Century.

Study or Explict Learning?

We’ve renamed our study tips tab in our information portal to debunk some of our long-held beliefs about studying. For eons we’ve believed that we’ll remember what we learn by re-reading, making notes, highlighting etc. More recent research suggests that we learn best by interacting with the material via “desirable difficulty”. This is best achieved in a study group, being quizzed or quizzing someone else etc. By struggling to search memories for the answer, the difficulty can create lasting learning. That’s why the difficulty is called desirable – because knowledge acquired in this manner lasts the test of time.

To summarize: Study in small chunks every week – do not cram right before a test – Test or Quiz yourself using a quiz generator – Online Quiz Creator – Register for Class Marker – Socrative

Form a Study Group to discuss the work and quiz each other verbally – Today’s Meet – Backchat on twitter or another forum tool. Discuss information during the lesson or afterwards in forums to be interacting with the information and with others. Try using technology to help you: Padlet – Today’s Meet – Chatzy – Socrative

Book Week Shortlist

The Children’s Book Week shortlist has been announced. …And the Older Reader’s Novels are:

Student Reading Survey Results – Aug 2013

Posted on September 1, 2013 by sshslibrary

Both general findings and some opinions about ebooks are snipped below from our online reading survey conducted last month across the entire student body. We will be sharing more results with you in coming weeks, however we are appreciative of all the students who took the time to respond to the survey and “have a say”. Thank you for your time.

The largest group to respond was Year 9 who have been issued with tablet PCs this term. Twice as many year 9’s and year 11’s responded as any other year level.

Many more females than males responded approx. 70% females and 30% males.

76% of students wanted more opportunity to borrow books in class time, while 24% of students preferred to borrow in their own time.

66% of students would like to try reading ebooks and 34% elected not to try them.

The most popular genres students would like us to stock are: Fantasy, Gothic Fiction, Ghost, Supernatural, Action & Adventure, Crime/Mystery, Romance and relationships, Friends family & school life.

The most popular non-fiction books students would like to read more about are: True Adventure and Survival, Biographies, Social problems and issues, Concordances of facts e.g. Guinness book of records. Topics of moderate interest also included: Cooking, Health & Fitness, Popular culture and lastly war stories and sports.

Some specific authors recommended were: John Green, Isaac Marion, James Patterson, JK Rowling, Robin Hobb, Brent Weeks, Brandon Sanderson, Kathy Reich, Jodi Picoult, Nicole Pollizi, Claudia Gray, Kendra Wilkinson, Cassandra Clare, Scott Westerfield, Suzanne Collins, Rick Riordan, Gordon Korman, Peter Lerangis, Jude Watson, Patrick Carman, Linda Sue Park, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Roland Smith, David Baldacci, Jeff Hirsch and Natalie Standiford. Jonathan Safran Foer.

To Ebook or Not to Ebook – That is the Question…

Around 50 of over 100 students who responded, added comments. In the table below, we have divided the comments about ebooks into positive and negative responses and indicated whether other students shared a similarly expressed viewpoint.

FOR	AGAINST
I love reading and would try it out and read more books that interest me X 2 respondents	I do like reading, however I get a sense of satisfaction when reading an actual book. It’s a sense of achievement as I turn a page, one step closer towards the resolution. I also tend to get distracted when on my phone and/or tablet/computer…temptation. X 4
easier to carry around, easier, you take your phone everywhere, store hundreds of books but not heavy, more convenient, esp on the bus X 15	I like turning the pages and holding them in my hand and smelling them, real books not silly-nilly technological books X 4
I enjoy reading a range of books that i find hard to find in real life. X 3	Bad for eyes
I didn’t know I could read them on there/interesting X 4	Books are better and more authentic
It would be easier than having to go to the library X 2	It would be inconvenient /just don’t want to X 2
Because its fun X4	Are you going to get rid of the books? It wouldn’t be a true library? Ebooks are confusing and not all people have a smart phone, tablet or computer. It seems too modern and lazy
I would borrow more books and I’d have to read X 2	Because I’m slack
Be good for textbooks so we don’t have to carry them round X 2	The battery will die fast – I prefer books
I do already X 3
It don’t wreck the book
Better to read and it’ll get more use
Many people my age prefer reading a screen and it is the way forward

If you would like to ask anything about the survey, please email us.

Book Week 2013

Posted on August 31, 2013 by sshslibrary

Last week we celebrated the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s national Book Week and we featured Brian Cox’s brilliant science lecture about our unfathomable Universe. It’s easy to download a youtube video – just watch the tutorial for a rapid method. We hung our own milky way of stars around our “Astronomy” and “Early Navigators” display (part of the Yr 8 curriculum). While “Sea Hearts” won the Young Adult category and both “The Ink Bridge” and “Friday Brown” were honour books, we featured a display of the brilliant “Creepy & Maud” by Diane Touchell. All the shortlisted titles are featured on the Book Week tab of our 24/7 Online Catalogue page.

Our Book Week Quiz competition was won by Allysha Sordelli 11F. Alicia matched the titles of 10 Sci-Fi classics with their correct first-lines. Our “Take me to your Reader” poster competition was won by Raylinda Mura 9C.

EBooks are Now on the Menu

Yes, we now hold a few dozen ebooks. Most are copyright free classics but we will be purchasing more contemporary titles as our budget permits. For all instructions about how to select and download our ebooks on your tablet (year 9) iphone, ipad or laptop read the instructions on the Ebooks tab of our Catalogue page.

Spotlight Short Play Competition Winner

Congratul Perez_Gianna ations Gianna Perez for winning our regional short play writing competition. Gianna’s play “Room 28” will be staged this October 14 & 15th at our second round of Spotlight evenings with the Performing Arts faculty. Gianna also wins an ipad mini courtesy of Mario Calanna Pharmacies – our sponsor. All entries will recieve a participation certificate and our Judge, Ms Avril Duck has given everyone constructive feedback.

A challenge of a Puzzle

Finally, our latest jigsaw is completed. This butterfly shaped puzzle proved really difficult. Mrs Kosky, our computer technician & Nathan Black, Yr 12, are regular contributors to this communal activity and are pictured fighting over the placement of the last pieces!

Literature – the goal of Literacy

Posted on August 4, 2013 by sshslibrary

This week, Kate Parker shared an interesting quote about classic literature. It’s from a new ebook called Canon Reloaded by Jacqueline Grassmayr (2013) and reinforces the importance of holding a good number of worthy young adult books in our fiction collection. She wrote, “Readers should be able to relate to their ideas regardless at when they are written. In this way, through reading a selection of texts considered worthy, we can share common human experiences regardless of time.” So check out our latest purchases and donations on our Red Hot reading review blog & get reading and growing – You are what you read!

Spotlight 5 Min Short Play Competition

Last days to enter. Email your short play and Spotlight 2013 Entry Form to Mrs Robins by August 16th to be in the running to win an ipad mini, courtesy of Calanna Pharmacies. Download an entry form or collect one from the library.

A Career in the Creative & Performing Arts?

The new ADERG Channel, an extension of the Art & Design Education Resource Guide (ADERG) offers additional and more frequent opportunities to explore what to study and where to study. Essentially, the ADERG Channel is internet-based contact through newsletters, newsfeeds, articles about current events at universities and colleges, a feast of images, social networking and the provision of various digital versions of the content in the print edition of ADERG.

To search for a creative course of study, simply sign up for the ADERG Channel newsletter. This will ensure you receive all you need to stay in touch and keep up-to-date. What will you see? Newsfeeds, newsletters, Gallery Packs of graduate work, items of interest from the universities and colleges, lists of Open Days and Graduate Exhibitions, social network contact plus more. Sign up for the ADERG Channel newsletter here.

Donation of Aviation Reference Books

Gavin Broadbent donated some very valuable aviation reference books to our library last week. Gavin was a student here from 1984-86 and went on to become a commercial pilot for both Qantas and Virgin airlines. Future aviators will be looking for these covers on our new book display. Many thanks Gavin, we hope they inspire some of our students to follow in your footsteps.

Literacy & Numeracy Week July 29 – Aug 2

Posted on July 31, 2013 by sshslibrary

WIN BOOKS & PAPER FOR OUR SCHOOL

Simply visit http://books4schools.com.au/ and register as our student, teacher or community member to increase ur chances of winning. Winners will be announced in September. We have to be in it to win it!

Displays

So much has happened this term already. We started Term 3 off with a display about sustainability. Very quickly we celebrated NAIDOC week using indigenous picture books by Percy Trezise and Dick Roughsey for an interactive competition. Kate Parker, Caraline Simank, Zach Galletly & Nathan Black all won a dip in our prize box for taking part. In NAIDOC week we kicked off a Book Swap Box as a literacy week initiative and we’ve collected a few donated books. Contribute a gold coin to choose a book during literacy week, July 29 – Aug4. We’re hopeful of donating the funds raised to buy literacy resources to remote communities.

Trinity Bay Writer’s Festival

Students from Smithfield High attended the annual festival. Both Joshua Pelach and Teagan Mapstone, who attended the 2 days of writing and illustrating workshops, share their impressions below.

Providing the opportunity to learn about and talk to famous authors and illustrators as well as workshop our own writing and drawing talents, the Trinity Bay Writer’s Festival was a huge success and provided all those that went with heaps of fresh new ideas and motivation. The two day event took place on the 24^th and 25^th of July, providing students with the opportunity to meet three authors and an illustrator. This included Boori Monty Prior, inspirational Aboriginal storyteller and winner of six major literary awards; John Heffernan, author of more than forty six successful books and multi-award winner; Prue Mason, best-selling author and winner of the Queensland Premier’s Award in 2005; and Kim Gamble, illustrator of more than 52 books for countless successful authors. As well as this, a small group called “Poetry In Action” performed for the entire group as a finale, highlighting the different types of poetry and its history in Australian culture. Overall, the writer’s festival was extremely successful and I definitely encourage anyone who has a passion for literature or art to take part next year. It is a great opportunity and should not be missed. By Joshua Pelach.

The Writers Festival held at Trinity Bay High School on the 24^th and 25^th of July was a beneficial experience for all future writers. It was a fulfilling and captivating two days. During the two days, students had the chance to meet and work with famous, well-known writers.

Boori Monty Prior was a cheerful and animated author. During his workshop he had the students interested about the topic as he engaged and captivated us all. He was also very funny as he wrote about experiences and memoires from his own life. John Heffernan was the author of books such as Spud; he spoke about writing from the heart. He was also very helpful with telling us some good tips on becoming better writers. Prue Mason was a fantastic author to work with as she taught us how to develop characters in stories. She gave us items that we then used to develop our own character and story during her workshop. Kim Gamble the illustrator of the Tashi series and other books demonstrated how to draw his own drawings and taught us how to draw an underwater scene.

The Writers Festival was a fantastic opportunity for all writers. It was an exhilarating experience and a must for all keen and interested writers. By Teagan Mapstone

Digital Citizenship

Click on the poster to enlarge and download the .PDF Use this flow chart to be aware of your rights and responsiblities online and make the right choices about the use of images online. For more information about Digital Citizenship, scan our diigo subject list of copyright websites. A particularly useful site with entertaining podcasts to teach you everything you need to know about the internet, is Let’s Talk Net.

Queens and Jokers

Posted on June 10, 2013 by sshslibrary

Reader’s Cup Team

Our Reader’s Cup team had a great day June 7^th at Malanda High School, competing in our regional literature trivia competition. Ben Weller, Megan McDowall, Brogan Lynton and Josh Pelach are pictured with their participation certificates, after the competition. St Monica’s won overall and are on their way to the state finals. SSHS wishes them well and are in awe of their achievement.

If you want to see some of the wonderful YA fiction titles we have purchased recently, including the Reader’s Cup titles, check out our reviews on the Red Hot Reads webpage or browse on our new book stand.

: Exam Tips

: JCU Library Tour

Being in the middle of exam block right now, we can appreciate the uplifting signs posted around JCU campus. Our Year 11 Learning Academy enjoyed a tour of the JCU library and services recently. The JCU Librarian is pictured showing us what a bound journal looks like. Remember students, any books returned late to the JCU Library are your personal responsibility. Pay your fines when you return your overdue book – better yet, save money and don’t be tardy.

: Pop Art Interactive Display

Interactive display. We’ve enjoyed some interesting Qld museum displays this term – but our current Art display by Year 9’s is a “first”. It is interactive. Press the button to learn about the theme and materials used. Last month was a busy one for research as you see – all our frozen loan trolley’s were in use.

Fantasy is the theme of our latest jigsaw puzzle and it is providing slightly different challenges for us. Kings and Queens are the stuff of fantasy but last week one of our staff was actually crowed a Queen – Jayne Johnston is the new 2013 Queen of Yorkey’s Knob. Jayne was seleced at the annual Festival of the Knob, for her voluntary services to the community during her 20 years as a resident of Yorkey’s Knob. Congratulations Mrs Johnston…aka “Your Majesty”.

: Queen of the Knob Crowned

Short Play Competition

Posted on May 10, 2013 by sshslibrary

SSHS 5 Min Play Competition

Last week we launched a state-wide short play competition in the Learning Place, Studio key S818115759, which closes on July 12. Visit the competition site for all details and some tips. Entries should be 5 mins or less in duration and be inspired by our theme – Time. The best plays will be shortlisted and two winners chosen for performance at our Spotlight evenings in October. Mario Calanna pharmacies have added additional incentive in the form of sponsorship of ipad minis for the winning playwrights.

Book Week Books

The CBC Shortlisted books have been announced. Check out the “Older Reader” titles. We focus on the Young Adult literature but you can scan all the shortlisted books in all categories on the CBC site.

The Qld Museum display boxes are of varying interest. Amphibians and Multicultural hats were colourful in the past fortnight but our new displays are generating more interest. If you’re curious about “Simple Machines” or in looking at actual specimens of Antarctic Wildlife, we will have them on display until the 21^st May.

Speaking of popular, our penchant for innovation and downright quirkiness is evident in our new lunchtime activity. With the weather cooling down, groups of students have been known to concentrate their spacial attention by working together on our 1000 piece jigsaw, Uluru Sunset by Sarina.

Book Donation

A big thank you to Ms Hall for donating dozens of novels, particularly contemporary fantasy novels. We shall relish reading them! Did you know that Game of Thrones is officially the most downloaded mini-series in the world? Such is the appeal of the fantasy genre. We have a wide selection of fiction genres – many of the new titles reviewed in our Red Hot Reading newsletter so you can sample them before you borrow them.

Valentines Anyone?

Posted on February 18, 2013 by sshslibrary

The library’s first lunch time activities for 2013 were in celebration of Valentine’s Day. About ten risk-takes took part in Speed dating with a Book and thoroughly enjoyed it. We spent 2 mins getting to know our dates before the alarm sounded and we moved to the next table to start the process all over again. Prizes for good evaluations were awarded. Congratulations to our best speed-daters: Harrison Seal Yr 8, Claire McGarrie Yr 9, Mikayla Radlof Yr 11 and Mani Norris Yr 11.

Responses were very positive: “Shadow Girl“ was just peaceful to read – Very funny – “Siggy & Amber“ was Awesome – It looked funny – I reckon this is awesome – It was interesting – “Unlocked” was weird, it has guns – “Headgames” was interesting, people can relate to it – Nick & Norah sounds amazing, I think it’s my type of book – “Another Fine Mess” was funny and interesting – “Unlocked” had an interesting beginning, it was great – “Conspiracy 365″ was action-packed. More than one book went home on a date with new borrowers and a good time was had by all. Let’s have one every term?

30 “all time greatest” romance films were highlighted on our LCD screen for students to guess. Congratulations to India Hopkinson and Julia Denman, Yr 11 for guessing more than anybody else.

Valentine’s Day Movie(s)

‘The Paperman’ and ‘Adelaide’ were all we had time for. Most moviegoers prefered the annimation. So if you want to watch some creative and original short films, just go to Short of the Week and search for films in various categories.

Quiditch in Cairns

Matthew Morris is the organizer of the newest Quiditch team in the Australian Quiditch Association. The Cairns United Quiditch Club (CUQC) is looking for members. If you would like to join, contact CUQC. JCU inaugurated the sport here in Cairns with the CUQC recently becoming the second team in the area. Matthew is pictured below in the player’s jersey and holding a book about Harry Potter, which provided the inspiration for the Muggle version of the sport. Of course this version must be played on the ground and therefore the rules have been modified. Contact champions@northqueenslandquidditch.com for more information.

International Year of Water Cooperation 2013

Posted on February 3, 2013 by sshslibrary

Welcome back. You’ll notice some changes already but we have more surprises to come. No. 1 is our first installation. Look up and you’ll see it. Why do we have glass raindrops in the atrium ceiling? 2013 is the UN International Year of Water Cooperation. We’d like some feedback from everyone, particularly our Art students – what mark would you give us for this assignment? What would you have done differently?

You’ll notice all new sled based research chairs and gas lift computer chairs. New desks in all 3 main classroom areas are still coming, so we’re not finished yet. Checking out your books and laptops, changing passwords and seeking information or assistance will be more pleasant now we’ve a new circulation desk too. We have a huge new colour printer R45 but you’ll still be able to print black and white to R42. Just make sure the printer you choose starts with “O” for O Block, i.e. your Library.

New Books

We already have some great new titles, all of which are reviewed on our RED HOT READS page. We must give a rousing three cheers to Cassie Kosky for donating her entire collection of Lord of the Rings and Twilight coffee table books. These Movie Companions and Visual Guides to the feature films are really very valuable in their own right. We have many fans at Smithfield and I know they won’t be on the shelf for long.

Julie & Andrew Matthews from Seashell Publishers have kindly donated multiple copies of their latest book, “Stop the Bullying”. Whether you’re a student, parent or teacher, this book has some good advice for you.

Cairns Library

Of course many students are card-carrying members of the Cairns Public Library. Borrowing books, audiobooks and DVD’s for free is cheaper than buying them or renting them. But there are a few other advantages. With your library card, and a pin (just ask at the counter) you can use the internet for free for an hour at the Smithfield branch located at our back door. Edatabases like Ancestry.com can be accessed in the Smithfield Branch Library on any public internet terminal. But using your library card, you can register for a QPL Account and have access to many free Edatabases even at home. e.g. The Library Press, which is a directory of most of the world’s newspapers online. Most Learning Academy students have their QPL account – it’s easy to register. If you have trouble, just see Mrs Robins in the library to show you how.

Just Books

Posted on February 26, 2012 by sshslibrary

Jayme Reddacliff

Celebrity Reader 27/02/12

I’m Jayme Reddacliff and I love reading in my room or any place that is away from people.

I am currently reading Dracula by Bram Stoker, and Embrace, by Jessica Shirvington.

I really like the way that J.K Rowling writes and I really like Richelle Mead’s books.

I would love to meet P.C. Cast and her daughter, Kristen Cast, to ask where they keep getting ideas for their series from, because the series keeps the same plot but in each novel there are new surprises for each. Each novel makes the whole story better.

I keep my books on shelves in my room. It’s like a mini library. When I go on a holiday I would want to take the new Mortal Instruments book with me as well as the sequel to Embrace.

I bought my father the latest Eragon book, Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

My three most memorable reads were:

1. The House Of Night series

2. The Harry Potter Series

3. The Vampire Academy Series

I grew up being read all different childrens’ books, but when I was about 5 my father started reading the Harry Potter Series to me. They would have to be my most memorable books. I would love to see the Mortal Instruments turned into a set of films, but I have no idea who I would want to star in each spot.

AND THE 2011 ANIMATED SHORT FILM OSCAR GOES TO…