Scotch Reports Issue 174 (April 2019)

MITCHAM CAMPUS
Authors in Residence at
Mitcham Campus
Late last year, our young readers had their
first taste of a 100-year celebration as they
acknowledged the 100th birthday of May
Gibb’s beautiful bush babies, Snugglepot
and Cuddlepie. These well-loved, centuryold
Australian book characters have stood
the test of time, along with characters
from Norman Lindsay’s The Magic Pudding
and the works of Henry Lawson (Selected
Poems), Ethel Turner (St. Tom and the
Dragon) and A.B. Patterson (Swinging the
Lead and Moving On).
The May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust
promotes the creation of contemporary
Australian children’s literature in the
belief that children’s books, written and
illustrated by Australians, are vital to
the wellbeing, creativity and literacy of
children. Scotch’s association with the
Trust has enabled numerous Author in
Residencies over recent years, the most
recent by award-winning Australian author
(of both children’s and adult titles) Tanya
McCartney. Her visit to Scotch coincided
with the release of her book, Mamie,
celebrating the life of May Gibbs. We were
honoured to have Tania with us on the day
of her book launch. She motivated our
young readers, “Put both hands up, as well
as your feet, if you LOVE, LOVE, LOVE books!”
She shared her experiences with our
students in her online blog:
“... I had an absolutely beautiful school
visit to Scotch College–what a stunning
school and what vibrant, book-loving
kids and staff. I was made so very
welcome (thanks Lucy, Sarah and Fiona!)
and had two fantastic sessions with
the kids. Was super happy to catch up
with author Katrina Germein at the
event, too.”
“...check out these beautiful creations
featuring my maps and book
illustrations. And one of the best
moments was singing Happy Birthday
to Mamie with the kids (it was book
release day).
Scotch College–thank you for creating
such a deep book and story culture in
your children. They are lucky kids.”
In her thank you letter to our Library team
she wrote, “Thank you for championing a
love of story in those divine children. This
connection to books is the key to all that is
good in the world. I can’t thank you enough.”
The May Gibbs Trust has provided us with
many other visits by authors, including
Sheryl Gwyther, Susanne Gervay, Christina
Booth and, later this coming year, we will
have author/illustrator Caroline Magerl
joining us.
Our Library staff have a shared passion
for literature and regularly transform the
Junior Campus library with displays that
reflect special events. They also look for
opportunities beyond the Trust to bring
Authors into the school. Pegi Williams book
store helped us line up a visit from Sally
Rippin. Our students were delighted when
she came and did a reading of Polly and
Buster with them. This term, our team have
sourced one of Australia's most popular
authors, Jacqueline Harvey, to visit the
Junior School to talk to Year 3–6 students
about her experiences as a teacher a
writer and illustrator. Having sold over one
million copies of her Alice-Miranda and
Clementine Rose series in Australia and
New Zealand, we are fortunate to have
been offered this visit!
By meeting and working with published
authors our students understand that they
are all authors with stories to tell. Many are
also often inspired to also read books that
they may not have otherwise read.
In Scotch’s centenary year we will be
collecting stories from school community
members, past and present. In 100 years,
the Scotch annals of time may well reveal
popular Australian authors, illustrators
and publishers who commenced their
time as students, inspired by our Author in
Residencies.
IEVA HAMPSON
Head of Mitcham Campus
Feature Zac, Blake, Anna, Alice, Charlie,
Anastasia, Amy and Cassie were excited to meet
with Tanya McCartney!
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