Library

Teacher/Librarian – Mrs Rosalind Dunn

The St Mary’s College library is a welcoming and flexible learning environment that allows students to meet, study, relax and engage. The library has a large range of resources for students and staff, including an extensive range of fiction and non-fiction books, reference materials, and magazines. Our ClickView video subscription provides access to a large range of quality digital video targeted to our Stage 4, 5 and 6 curriculums.  Our college library is also a member of the Australian Catholic Education Network’s Digital Library collection, which provides the community with 24/7 access to more than 10,000 e-books, audiobooks and read-a-longs. Chess, checkers, cards and puzzles are also on offer, as well as a pop-up Minecraft group from time to time.

The library is open from 8.30am each weekday, and during lunch breaks, and offers “after-school study” three afternoons a week. This allows students to access the full range of library resources, school internet and the support of a teacher until 4.30pm for homework help or private study. The library also supports targeted small group learning activities, teaching spaces, and a senior study area for Stage 6 students. Support with laptops, printing and copying are also available to all students.

The development of information literacy skills, study skills, critical literacy and research skills, along with information on how to be a great digital citizen, are all programs the library supports and integrates into our school learning culture.

The joy of reading and writing for leisure and learning is a main focus of the St Mary’s library team. Regular events, activities and programs are held throughout the year, nurturing a passion for reading and creative writing. Our students enjoy participating in the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge each year and we are proud of having students receive the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge Medal over the past five years.

The St Mary’s chess team also call the library home and each year we participate in the NSW Secondary Schools Knockout Chess competition. We also access Minecraft’s Hour of Code, which allows students to learn computer coding through play.

The library is more than just a resource centre. It provides a safe and supportive environment that supports the whole student. Our flexible layout promotes contemporary learning opportunities that build skills of collaboration, teamwork and critical thinking. The library is the learning hub of the school.

The library also has a dedicated website for the St Mary’s community, providing a wide range of literacy support materials. It can be located at the link below: St Mary’s Library Web Site.