Armistice Day

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War One. The day commemorates the lives of the people who died during the 4-year war. 

At 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1919, the war was officially over. Each year at this time a two minutes silence is observed.

The two minute silence was declared by King George V on November 7, 1919. 

"...all work, all sound, and all locomotion should cease, so that in perfect stillness the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead." (King George V)

To read the complete declaration go to The Guardian

This year following the two minute silence there is an invitation to toot horns and ring church bells to recreate the celebration and joy people experienced in learning that the war was over.

Love your brain, read books

NZ Bookshop Day is being held on Saturday 27 October. 60 bookshops across New Zealand will be celebrating with displays and events. Grab a friend or your family and give your brain some love. 

Reading grows stronger people. Reading can act as a balm for busy brains, a world of imagination, or satisfy a mind thirsty for knowledge. 

Letting nature nurture our well being

Let nature in, strengthen your wellbeing – Mā te taiao kia whakapakari tōu oranga!

This is the theme for this year's Mental Health Awareness Week. Research has shown that our well being is improved when we experience and get involved with nature. The Mental Health Foundation has listed Five Ways to Well Being in nature. 
The library has books on display that support these five recommendations. In addition, nature has been brought inside. An experiential display of flora and a zen garden offers students the opportunity to smell herbs, feel the varied textures of pine cones, shells, bark, sand, driftwood, and conifer. At certain times of the day you can hear birdsong. Tastings of kawakawa tea have been enjoyed as well.

125th anniversary of Women's Suffrage in New Zealand

2018 marks the 125^th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New Zealand.  On 19 September 1893 the Electoral Act 1893 was passed, giving all women in New Zealand the right to vote.

We can be thankful for the courage and tenacity of the women and men of that time who fought hard for this right. Particularly when it was voiced that women were better off not "meddling in masculine concerns of which they are properly ignorant". You can view the full notice here. 

The short video below gives a fascinating historical account of the global suffrage movement. 

Source: You Tube - Encyclopedia Britanica

Jacinda Ardern talks about gender equality and fairness in this interview with the CEO of Global women.

Source: You Tube - Global Women NZ

Winner of 2018 International Institute of Modern Letters’ (IIML) National Schools Poetry Award

Ilena Shadbolt, an Year 13 student of Queen Margaret College reads her winning poem, Vignettes.

You Tube: Victoria University of Wellington

Ilena had the pleasure of reading her poem on National Poetry Day, joined by other notable NZ poets at Unity Books in Wellington. Find out where Ilena's inspiration for her poem came from at NZPoetryShelf

The calibre of writing is tremendous, go to School Poetry Award to read the poetry of the other nine finalists.

"Poetry is the new pop" - Jimmy Fallon

"Poetry is the new pop" - Jimmy Fallon

Rupi Kaur has created two poetry collections, the first one is Milk and Honey and the second The sun and her flowers. She is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. This is quite an achievement for a poet. Listen to her interview with Jimmy Fallon and the reading of her poem Timeless.  If you enjoy her poetry, both these books are available in the library.

You Tube: The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon

You can also listen to her read poems from her collection Milk and Honey.

You Tube: TripleJ

How to Bee/ Dawn Raid

How to Bee

Use of image by SLANZA Publisher Permissions

A story about family, loyalty, kindness and bravery, set against an all-too-possible future where climate change has forever changed the way we live. (Allen&Unwin)

Read an excerpt of the story which sets the scene. Need more convincing then read this review.

Shortlisted for the 2018 NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.

Dawn Raid

Use of image by SLANZA Publisher Permissions

Like many 13-year-old girls, Sofia's main worries are how she can earn enough pocket money to buy the groovy go-go boots that are all the rage, and if she will die of embarrassment giving a speech she has to do for school! It comes as a surprise to Sofia and her family when her big brother, Lenny, talks about protests, overstayers and injustices against Pacific Islanders. (Back cover)

Read an excerpt here. Then read the book and learn about this appalling period in New Zealand's history.

Shortlisted for the 2018 NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.