Read: Myriad possibilities 2016… 12th Conference of the CBCA

Duelling Mr Chickens

Thank you everyone for a thoroughly enjoyable conference last weekend (Menzies Hotel, Sydney). Gail Erskine, Felicity Jagavkar-Baker, Margaret Hamilton, and all the volunteers, did a spectacular job. As a veteran of many science fiction media conventions (as an attendee or committee member), and a number of TL-focused PD seminar/conferences (sometimes as presenter, or attendee/volunteer/committee member) over the decades, “Read: Myriad Possibilities 2016” compared very well.

This was my first CBCA Conference. The two full days had wonderful variety and no dead spots at all (that I noticed), and it appeared to be very seamless. I loved that the early release of the “Notables” enabled publishers to have every shortlisted title available for sale on the day of the Shortlist announcement on the Friday. (I know there was some trepidation about this when first announced.) I ordered my school’s books from Paul Macdonald on the Friday, and they arrived at school on Thursday, a day earlier than promised.

The authors and illustrators at the conference made themselves very available to all, and autograph sessions were well timed and well promoted.The Committee appeared unflustered most of the time, and glitches were quickly addressed. (And in the timeslots where I volunteered, everything seemed to be set up for success. Much appreciated!)

I also attended the Leigh Hobbs’ Masterclass (see pic above) arranged by the Australian Society of Authors in Ultimo, on the Sunday after the conference! It, too, was excellent. Worth every cent.

And then, on the Monday, it was back to Week 2 of my school’s Book Fair. Stop the world, I wanna get off! #CBCA2016

50 years of decimal currency in Australia

Several classes are researching the 50 years of decimal currency in Australia. Here are some useful Youtube clips.


Dollar Bill and Australians keep the wheels of industry turning


Decimal currency, 14 February 1966 – Television advertisements


New decimal coin designs


50 years of decimal currencyStudio 10 segment


Decimal currency – Behind the News


Royal Australian Mint Tour – Behind the News

More information is available HERE, the website of the Royal Australian Mint.

Book Week displays come rolling in!

Books light up our world by 1S
Books light up our world by 1S

Click HERE for a slideshow of each class display.

UPDATE: The students who created this amazing 3D display for Scary night just heard back from the author, Lesley Gibbes:

Scary night by 36R
Scary night by 3-6R

Lesley wrote, “Thanks so much 3-6R, your display is amazing! Have a wonderful Book Week celebration!” And then, a courier arrived, with free copies of Scary night for the creators!

Make sure to check out out the free Apositive phone app and make the CBCA firefly fly – and read, and wave!
Book Week 2015 poster

The simultaneous Brothers Quibble

Yesterday, our school participated in ALIA’s National Simultaneous Storytime. Each Stage gathered in groups around the school at 11am (simultaneously with schools all over Australia) to share the picture book, The Brothers Quibble by Aaron Blabey!


The Brothers Quibble


The Brothers Quibble [Auslan version]


Aaron Blabey – Picture book maker [Story Box Library]

Our previous links are HERE.

National Simultaneous Storytime: The Brothers Quibble

Each year, our school’s community (K-6, and often the preschool) has participated in the annual ALIA National Simultaneous Storytime. Each Stage gathers in groups around the school and the library to read a specified picture book together at 11am, simultaneously with schools all over Australia.

This year’s book is The Brothers Quibble by Aaron Blabey! The event occurs on Wednesday 27th May.


A message from Aaron Blabey NSS 2015 author


The Brothers Quibble read by author Aaron Blabey [Story Box Library]

Monty the penguin

Each year, UK department store, John Lewis, hires a team to create a special ad for the Christmas season. These ads are excellent examples of persuasive visual texts.


John Lewis Christmas advert 2014 – #MontyThePenguin


Flock Associates – John Lewis: The Making of Monty the Penguin 2014


John Lewis Christmas advert 2013 – The bear & the hare


Lily Allen | [The Making of] Somewhere Only We Know (John Lewis Christmas Advert)


John Lewis Christmas advert 2012 – The journey


John Lewis Christmas advert 2011 – The long wait

Same ad, with a different music track:

The New John Lewis 2011 Christmas TV Advert – The long wait [Alternate]


John Lewis Christmas advert 2010 – This feeling inside


John Lewis Christmas advert 2009 – Sweet child of mine


John Lewis Christmas advert 2008 – From me to you [Extended studio version]


John Lewis Christmas advert 2007 – Shadow

Teachers’ notes for My father the great pirate

Presenting My father the great pirate: teachers’ notes, by yours truly, published by Australian Standing Orders & Wilkins Farago, 2014. In support of the picture book by Davide Cali & Maurizio Quarello, and including this digital story on PhotoPeach as an example of a practical learning activity I brainstormed with Stage 2 and Stage 3 students a few months ago:


Nudge nudge, wink wink…

Reindeer’s Christmas surprise

On Sunday, the choir attended the Celebration Concert at Sydney Town Hall.

Sydney Town Hall concert 2014

Sydney Town Hall concert 2014

Sydney Town Hall concert 2014

During the evening meal break, we visited the David Jones’ Christmas windows, this year based upon a new picture book, especially commissioned from Ursula Dubosarsky and illustrated by Sue deGennaro.

Christmas 2014
Click HERE to see a slideshow.


Christmas windows – Reindeer’s Christmas surprise