About me

Hi!

My name is Trish and I am a Teacher Librarian in an Australian high school where my role is to promote literacy, learning and literature across the curriculum.

Whilst this blog arose as part of my Masters in Education, I found that I enjoyed writing down my thoughts and reflections about my practice as a teacher librarian. This ‘writing for knowledge construction’ has helped my understanding about pedagogy and curriculum grow. I now write for me, to share what I am doing in my practice and in turn have created a space for me to continue my own life long learning experience. So, if you have read this far, and wish to read more, please subscribe to my blog.

Thank you

Trish

  • Another day, another fun activity in the library: Crime scene for creativity
    Walk into the library this week and you might think something dramatic has occurred. A chalk outline stretches across the floor. Crime scene tape blocks off the area. Pieces of evidence lie scattered nearby. Questions hang in the air. What happened? Who was involved? Why did it occur? Thankfully, no crime has actually taken place. Instead, our Library team has created an immersive “Whodunnit?” display designed to spark something just as exciting: imagination. One of the ongoing challenges for young writers is finding a starting point. Faced with a blank page, many students struggle to know what to write about, … Continue reading “Another day, another fun activity in the library: Crime scene for creativity”
  • From Heroes to Heroines
    Like many readers of my generation, my first encounters with Greek mythology were through the deeds of men. I grew up enthralled by the adventures of Theseus, Jason, Hercules, Perseus, Achilles and Hector. These were stories of daring quests, impossible challenges, glorious victories and legendary battles. They were tales of courage and strength, and I gloried in their heroics. Around them stood a supporting cast of women I thought I knew well. Circe was the witch. Penelope was the patient wife. Medusa was the monster. Hera was the jealous goddess whose wrath was to be feared. Recently, after watching the … Continue reading “From Heroes to Heroines”
  • Sharing passions is a good thing!
    One of the greatest strengths of teacher librarians is that we are readers first. We spend so much time advocating for reading that we sometimes forget one of the most powerful tools we possess: our own enthusiasm. Students can tell when we genuinely love a book, a genre or a topic. More importantly, so can staff. Recently, I watched a film adaptation of The Odyssey. As the credits rolled, I found myself reflecting on just how many remarkable stories have emerged from the worlds of myth and legend. Greek mythology has inspired countless books, films and retellings, yet it remains … Continue reading “Sharing passions is a good thing!”
  • Golden tickets – Connecting Curriculum and Curiosity.
    One of the great joys of working in a school library is watching a story spill beyond the pages of a book and into the wider learning experiences of students. This week, our library celebrated Roald Dahl Week, marking both Roald Dahl Day and the fact that our Year 7 students have recently completed Boy as their class novel. I have written previously about the enduring appeal of Roald Dahl and the remarkable ways his stories connect with young readers. What continues to fascinate me is that, decades after publication, his books still possess the power to spark curiosity, laughter, … Continue reading “Golden tickets – Connecting Curriculum and Curiosity.”
  • Book review: Circe
    I first read Circe when it was released back in 2019, but I am revisiting it years later, armed with a deepening obsession with Greek mythology (and after tumbling headlong down countless mythological rabbit holes). I found myself reading it through an entirely different lens. Previously, the novel read like a tragedy, a demigod, exiled for an unasked-for superpower and unrequited love, now reads as a meditation on agency, power and survival. Miller asks readers to reconsider whose stories have been told, whose voices have been silenced, and what happens when a woman refuses to accept the narrative written for … Continue reading “Book review: Circe”