Des Hunt

As part of the Northland tour organised by Lisa Salter, NZ author, Des Hunt visited the WBHS Library last Thursday.  Des Hunt is well known for his stories with adventure and environmental themes and distinct New Zealand settings.

He entertained and informed eight Year 9 and 10 classes with his unique presentation, combining an animated Power-Point show with science demonstrations.  He used the science experiments as a metaphor for different aspects of the reading and writing cycle.  Whilst some students may not have got the idea of a metaphor, they all certainly enjoyed the science experiments and will remember the author who ended his presentation with a bang - literally!

“All writing is travel writing because it takes you on a journey…”

Like Dee in the previous post, I was taken by this quote from Mal Peet at the SLANZA Te Tai Tokerau event on Saturday.  It captured my imagination, and reflected the journeys that Mal and Elspeth took us on as they spoke, and through their books set in different lands and times. 

Elspeth spoke about finding the germ of an idea through her research and then the process of spinning the story through walking and talking about it and playing it out until Mal could take it and put it into words to make it come alive. Their recently published book, Mysterious Traveller, exquisitely illustrated by PJ Lynch, came from hearing about Timbuktu in Mali, Africa, being at the intersection of trade routes, where a kilo of salt and a kilo of gold were of equal value, and where there was a renowned guide who was blind but could lead people through shifting sands using his knowledge as signposts.

I thought the idea of crafting the story initially in an oral way was interesting – how maybe we need to have time to talk about a story, tease out the threads and connections, before we launch straight into writing it down…

Mal writes up in the attic room, Elspeth’s office is downstairs, and there is a cow bell which Elspeth rings if she wants Mal to come down…  Someone suggested that it was shades of Downton Abbey, but Mal replied, more like Pavlov’s dog – never knowing if the summons was about a sandwich or hoovering!

There was a question about the classification of books – teen, adult etc and Mal suggested it is adults who buy the books for children and so the classifications are for them – the children will read what they will…  He spoke about reading to children, and the ability then to read to them at their understanding level rather than their reading level which is sometimes lower.

Mal was entertaining as he spoke about his boyhood ambitions (to captain England's football team and failing that, draw cartoons for Beano), his writing process, relationships with publishers and illustrators, and the travel which has enriched his writing.  He talked about having a novel in his head being like playing three dimensional chess, with transparent pieces, against yourself – carrying it around in your head like a glass bowl of water…

Luckily for us, Mal’s self-professed speech impediment – ‘I can’t pronounce the word “no”’, meant that he and Elspeth fitted in the session in their last few days in New Zealand while on holiday in Northland, and it was an enjoyable and interesting afternoon for the 30 – 40 people gathered there.

Thanks to Kerikeri High School for the venue and hospitality, Di for afternoon tea, Books on Hobson for providing books for sale, and to Lisa Salter, Kevin from Books on Hobson and Clare Giesbers who provided books for the successful raffle won by many happy ticket holders.  Congratulations also to Ahipara School who brought along a group of students who asked interesting questions.

Teachers / book clubs may be interested in the Walker Books Classroom Ideas resource kits for Mal’s (and other people’s) books – here is the page for Secondary Fiction Classroom Ideas http://www.walkerbooks.com.au/Teachers/Classroom-Ideas/Secondary-Fiction-Classroom-Ideas

Cheers, Jeannie

NZ Author - Des Hunt

So looking forward to Des Hunt visiting Whangarei Boys' High School later this week.

Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham - 22 June 2013 - Kerkikeri High School

So enjoyed the informal session with Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham yesterday.  I could have listened to them for hours they were so entertaining. A  quote from Mal "All writing is travel writing as it takes you places".  Nice.  Now to snuggle by the fire and read "Tamar". 

Thanks so much to Jeannie for the organisation and her special cake, Di for her excellent scones, Julia for the  local mandarins and Lisa for the lift.

Mal Peet Heads North

SLANZA Te Tai Tokerau invite you to afternoon tea and a few laughs with a most entertaining and engaging presentation by  Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham

2.00pm Saturday 22 June 

At Kerikeri High School Library

Mal Peet, Internationally celebrated UK author. He has won the prestigious Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Prize for Children's Fiction, and his work has been translated into many languages. His young adult novels include Keeper (2003), Tamar (2005), The Penalty (2006),Exposure (2008) and Life: an Exploded Diagram (2011).

With his wife, Elspeth Graham, Mal writes picture books for younger readers. Their Cloud Tea Monkeys (2010, illustrated by Juan Wijngaard) was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal in the UK and won an Aesop Award in the USA, and the second book in this series, Mysterious Traveller, illustrated by P J Lynch, has just been launched.

All welcome – teachers, students, librarians, parents…

Free for Students, SLANZA members and their schools, $10.00 for non-members.

Programme :

2.00pm – Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham

3.00pm – Afternoon tea, book signing and informal chat

3.30pm – SLANZA Te Tai Tokerau AGM

Please pass this information on to anyone you think would be interested, and RSVP to jeannie.skinner@dia.govt.nz with the number of people who will be attending, thank you.

SLANZA events are kindly sponsored by Book Protection Products.

Hi -

I am working with Des Hunt to organise a visit in Term 2 (probably the week of June 24 - 28) for SLANZA member schools.  He is keen for me to get a few schools together in the area from Warkworth through to Whangarei.  If there is enough interest I can approach him for a visit further north as well.

Pricing is negotiable based on the number of days, but if it is more than two costs would be:
Morning $300.00+gst
Afternoon $200.00+gst

He visited our local schools a few years ago and the students still talk about it.  His books are rarely on the shelves here and while he has a huge appeal for boys, the girls like him too.  His target audience is Year 6 - 9.

Please let me know asap if you are interested and whether you would prefer morning or afternoon visit.

Lisa Salter RLIANZ
SLANZA Te Tai Tokerau representative
and National Communications Leader
www.slanza.org.nz

lsalter@ruawaicollege.school.nz

Read Ruawai Library's Book Review Blog at:
ruawailibrary.wordpress.com

An Exciting Opportunity for Schools

The line-up has been announced for this years' Auckland Writers and Readers Festival and I AM EXCITED!
Patrick Ness, author of The Knife of Never Letting Go series will be there!  Check out the full programme at Writers & Readers website and start planning.
Lisa Salter

New Beginnings

Happy New Year

I hope you have all had a good rest over the holidays and are going back to work refreshed and ready to go.  For me holidays are never long enough and the idea of being ready to sit in a daily morning meeting when for the last month I was lounging around home is a challenge.  BUT if I want to get paid, I must get with the programme!  In many ways I am looking forward to heading back to the books, the kids and the daily routine, I hope you are too.

While we have been on holiday our darling Jeannie Skinner has been busy motivating us even while we rest.  I just had a look at the National Library Services to Schools online communities and the Northland Networks page (* http://schools.natlib.govt.nz/community/groups/northland-networks) is filled with things to do and ponder.  I guess most significant is the updated National Library page, don't be confused because it's not the same as it was.  It looks easy to find things, but because it's different it may be a good idea to have a play before someone needs something yesterday!

The July conference in Wellington is shaping up well and I hope many from Northland will attend. There are plenty of scholarships available so if money is your only barrier, get packing! 

I look forward to catching up with you all early this year.  We need to have an AGM and plan some events for the year, start thinking about what you could benefit from most and let me know.

All the best for the coming year.
Lisa Salter

 *You have to log on to view.  If you haven't yet joined it's free and easy. 

Happy Holidays

It has been an eventful year for SLANZA with Ross Todd inspiring us and a conference to look forward to next July.  Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the enrichment of the region.  Special thanks to Kaye Neely, our treasurer, and Jeannie Skinner, our secretary, the region could not function without the dedication of these special ladies.

Wishing you all a happy, restful and fulfilling holiday season.  I look forward to working with you all again next year.

Lisa Salter

Study grant recipients for 2013

Study grant recipients for 2013

Warmest congratulations go to Helen Muxlow, Judy Waenga, Pamela McKirdy and Vivian Wang – our latest study grant recipients.

We look forward to reading about their study experiences next year.

Michele Ayres
SLANZA Professional Development team leader

Vacancy - National Executive Administration Officer

IS THIS YOU?Do you want a challenge?
Do you have excellent administrative and clerical skills?
Are you highly organized?
Are you confident using online tools such as Google Apps and other online tools?
Are you comfortable with online banking and managing finances?
Are you passionate about school libraries and education in New Zealand?
Do you want to be more involved with SLANZA?

Answering YES to these questions could mean you’re just who we’re looking for! 
SLANZA is looking for an Administration Officer. The position is a demanding but rewarding one. It is not necessary that applicants work, or have worked, in a school library but a general understanding of the way that the education sector works would be advantageous.

We need someone who is highly organised, who can communicate well and who understands financial matters as they relate to organisations such as ourselves. Experience with MYOB or other accounting programmes and databases would be an advantage. We would like a person who is responsive to challenges and who is good with systems and comfortable working in an online environment and to a deadline.

SLANZA is offering this paid contract position of up to 10 hours a week to the right person, who will work closely with the President and the members of the National Executive.

This administrative role involves:

• National Executive Secretary
• Membership Secretary
• SLANZA Finance

Although our meetings are held in Wellington it is not necessary that the person appointed resides there.
If you would like more information, the position description is attached below, or email slanza@xtra.co.nz

Applications in writing, to be addressed to the President at slanza@xtra.co.nz

Applications close on Wednesday, December 12th.  We would expect to appoint before Christmas.


Position Description.pdf
Download File

New "Collected" Out Now

Hi

Blue Sky Thinking! If the sky was the limit, what would you hope for?

Are you ready to be inspired? Are you ready to be challenged? Are you prepared for some mental fitness to keep your mind active over the summer, filling your head with ideas and inspiration? How can you make positive changes in your career and your library?


Open this issue of SLANZA's Collected magazine and see what the leaders in the field have to say. You will get to know a couple of the fabulous key note speakers gearing up for next year's conference in Wellington bringing us 'winds of change' as well as some local experts keen to share their dreams with you.


Get comfortable, open your mind and follow this link!

Oh, and while I have your attention... The conference committee have started a Facebook page to keep you up to date on their progress. Check it out when you have a chance and 'like' it to stay informed.

Lisa Salter
SLANZA Communications Leader

Opportunity Not To Be Missed!

Hello everyone

Our fabulous Jeannie Skinner is not one to miss an opportunity!  This has been arranged at short notice, but is worthwhile, please share the flyer with your teaching colleagues and bring them along-

Rob Baigent from Any Questions is going to be in Whangarei for day and so I thought we could make the most of him being in the North to have a session with him about Any questions / Uia ngā patai and Many Answers / Ngā Whakautu Maha.

Thursday 25th October, after school in the May Bain Room at Whangarei Public Library.

This great free online NZ resource for school students is something that we need to promote to our students, teachers, parents…

Come and hear all about it, ask questions, find out how to get the most out of it with Rob Baigent.

The meeting is free, and we'll start with afternoon tea, kindly hosted by the Whangarei Libraries.

All welcome – teachers, library staff, public library staff, 
senior student librarians, parents…
Please pass this information on to anyone you think would be interested, and please email Jeannie with the number of people who will be attending this meeting, thank you.

Comments on NZ Herald article - Why children are failing at writing

The School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa comments on NZ Herald article Why children are failing at writing.

The article Why children are failing at writing in the Monday 24 September edition of the New Zealand Herald points to the relation between reading and achievement levels of New Zealand students.  It highlights the importance of free access to books, thus highlighting the school library’s significance to students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Studies show that children who have better reading experiences become successful lifelong learners.  School library staff have a critical role to play. Their expertise in providing engaging reading material and targeted resources are vital to the challenges of falling achievement levels. Those schools in NZ whose libraries are not adequately staffed become the additional responsibility of a busy teacher or are run by untrained volunteers.  

Students who are able to process text in a meaningful way consistently have better school results than those for whom reading is challenging.   School librarians at all levels of education are dedicated to sharing the love of reading, working with teaching staff to help children acquire the skills to learn to read, and fostering an interest in reading which can be a lifelong pleasure.

A school librarian also supports inquiry learning.  The digital future our students face require new and ever growing list of skills including searching the internet, referencing sources, curating information and using social networking safely.  These are skills that school librarians support students in using effectively.

A well-resourced school library that is staffed with a qualified, passionate librarian or teacher librarian becomes the learning centre of a school.  This is the place where all students can find what they need to develop as confident and capable readers and users of information.  A dedicated team working in a school library makes a significant difference to the overall achievement of a school.  

For further information contact:

Fiona Mackie

President SLANZA

Fiona.Mackie@stcuthberts.school.nz

or

Lisa Salter

Communication Leader SLANZA

lsalter@ruawaicollege.school.nz

President's Report to the 2012 AGM

Hi, 

I wanted to let you know that Fiona Mackie's President Report to the AGM is up on the new blog now for you to read. I think it's a worthwhile read, outlining what we are working towards and what has been accomplished in the last 12 months.

Have a read at-

http://www.slanza.org.nz/news.html

Lisa Salter 

Another Term 3 event : Paul Diamond from Alexander Turnbull Library

You are invited to come on a virtual visit to the Alexander Turnbull Library, with Paul Diamond, Curator, Māori.

Paul Diamond (Ngāti Hauā, Te Rarawa and Ngāpuhi) is a writer, historian and broadcaster.  He currently holds the position of Curator, Māori at the Alexander Turnbull Library.

This is a free session, which could be of particular interest to Māori, history teachers, art teachers and school library teams - all welcome. 

Portraits, politicians, protesters and piccaninnies...

Paul will talk about two upcoming projects showcasing Turnbull collections:

• a monograph about how Māori have been represented in cartoons,
• and an exhibition of watercolour portraits of Māori from the top of the South Island painted by Isaac Coates in the 1840s.

Venue : Whangarei Girls’ High School Library

Wednesday 5th September  (week 8 of term)  3.30pm for afternoon tea, talk from 4 – 5pm ish

Free - all welcome – teachers, library staff, public library staff, senior student librarians…   Please pass this information on to anyone you think would be interested.  

Please email  jeannie.skinner@dia.govt.nz  with the number of people who will be attending.

2012 marks the 20th anniversary of the NZ Cartoon Archive which became part of the Alexander Turnbull Library in 2005.  Although Māori have featured in cartoons since they first appeared in New Zealand in the 1800s, the depictions of Māori have changed over time.  In his talk, Paul Diamond will use images from the Archive to illustrate changing stereotypes of Māori - the topic of a monograph he is writing for the Cartoon Archive.

Cartoons sparked by rugby clashes between the All Black and Springbok teams are a particular focus of his research. A survey of cartoons, beginning when the games were uncontroversial, through to the post-1981 tour era, reveals changing attitudes to race in this country and challenges to the continued existence of the NZ Māori side.

The NZ Cartoon Archive contains more than 50,000 art works, boosted daily as new cartoons are published. Many contemporary cartoons have been created digitally, and are available online, together with a growing proportion of hard copies. This means that a large proportion of the cartoons can be searched and viewed online, making them an invaluable, accessible historical source and resource for students and teachers – wherever they are based.

Paul will also preview an exhibition opening in January 2013 in the new Turnbull Gallery.  Head and Shoulders: portraits of Māori by Isaac Coates, displaying portraits of Māori from Te Tau Ihu o Te Waka-a-Māui, the top of the South Island, painted by the Englishman Isaac Coates in the early 1840s.   This will be the first time these exquisite and fragile watercolour portraits have ever been exhibited as a complete set.

Paul Diamond's  first book was A Fire in Your Belly, a collection of interviews with Māori leaders (Huia, 2003). His second book was Makereti: taking Māori to the World (Random House, 2007).  From 2007 to 2009, Paul managed the Vietnam War Oral History Project for the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. In 2010 he was appointed to the Board of the New Zealand Book Council and has been a judge for the New Zealand Post Book Awards in 2010 & 2011.  He is researching the life of Charles MacKay, a mayor of Wanganui, who was convicted of attempted murder after he shot the writer Walter D’Arcy Cresswell in 1920.

Many thanks to Whangarei Girls’ High School Library for providing the venue for this event.

Term 3 event : Maori digital resources

All are invited to a free workshop on digital Maori resources for your kura and community with Mereana Taungapeau from Alexander Turnbull Library (Digital Maori Resources)

Come and discover…

• digital Maori resources available through Alexander Turnbull Library / National Library.
• how to successfully navigate through and access Alexander Turnbull / National Library online collections.
• resources showing the history and landscape of Te Tai Tokerau that are held at Alexander Turnbull Library.
• what other services National Library / Alexander Turnbull Library have to offer.
• and how to support the learning needs and interests of your students by providing the right resources.

Two free workshops in Te Tai Tokerau in week 7 this term :

KAIKOHE
Wednesday 29th August  at 1.00 – 3.30pm
at Northland College Library, 36 Mangakahia Road, Kaikohe

WHANGAREI
Thursday 30th August at 1.00 – 3.30pm
at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Rawhiti Roa, 42 Vinegar Hill Road, Tikipunga, Whangarei

Many thanks to these two schools for their hospitality.

The afternoon will include a presentation with an overview of National Library/ATL services and resources and Maori resources - in particular those relating to Te Tai Tokerau and then have plenty of time for participants to explore the resources they are interested in with hands-on time on the computer accessing resources via BETA.

All welcome – teachers, library staff, public library staff, senior student librarians…
Please pass this information on to anyone you think would be interested at your school / kura / community. 

and please email jeannie.skinner@dia.govt.nz with the number of people who will be attending which workshop, thank you.

What is EBP?

Last week many fortunate New Zealand librarians attended workshops with Ross Todd, a respected library expert visiting from the USA.  The focus of his presentation was Evidence Based Practice (EBP).  

How and why should this interest you?  Libraries are facing increasing challenges to stay relevant these changing times.  Questions are being asked as to what a school library contributes to learning outcomes, so the ability to prove your worth has never been more important.  Your library needs to be valued by staff and students. 

This is where your EBP skills come in.  You need to collect relevant data present it with flair.  You are your best advocate.  Don't wait until it is too late to show your worth.  Make connections with staff and students and show them what you have to offer.  Get the students to tell the library story.  Think about what types of information you need to support change and survey your users.  Use negative feedback to open conversations towards improvement.

Are you keeping up to date with technology?  Are you looking for new ways to assist teaching and learning in your school?  These are significant questions you need to consider as we change tact and sail into the digital age.  If students prefer to use the internet for research, are you able to guide them to better searching techniques?  This is your opportunity.  Look ahead at what services and skills will keep your library relevant and then go for it.  Don't sit around waiting for opportunities, go out and find them.  Ask to join the EBP Facebook group, 'like' the SLANZA Facebook page, follow some library blogs and challenge yourself to start your own blog.  Use your library webpage as a portal to celebrate learning.  Now is the time to sign up to Twitter and start following the librarians who are leading the way forward, they are full of ideas and suggestions which you can kick start your journey.  

SLANZA National Executive will be rolling out an abridged version of Ross's  presentation and soon a taping of his workshop will be available to members on the SLANZA website.  Don't miss your chance to pick up great ideas and challenges to improve services and energize your library!

Happy Holidays and Ross Todd Registration

Happy July Holidays!  I hope you are all getting a well deserved break in preparation for the marathon 11 week Term 3.  

The Ross Todd events are in Week 1 of Term 3 and registrations are going strong.  If you are planning on attending can you please register as soon as possible.  I won't go on an on about the benefits of attending because if you scroll down this blog you will find previous posts outlining his awesomeness and great reasons to attend.  

The AGM will be held after the Wellington event and presentations of this years SLANZA Awards and our new Honorary Life Memberships will be announced.  

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to SLANZA this term, your support is appreciated!

Lisa Salter

Anita in Action at Creative library displays with Anita Vandenberghe