Ashfield Boys High School

Here we decide

Telephone02 9798 6620

Emailashfieldbo-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Library

Library is the hub for a number of different events as well as a place for classes, for individuals to work and to borrow books. Homework center runs out of the library in school term with Mr McKenzie from 7:30am to 8:30am every morning and on Monday and Tuesday afternoons between 3:10pm and 4:30pm with Ms Gorton.

For the development of students self-awareness and esteem, we have a toastmasters course running each term for different years to develop public speaking. It is rewarding to see the confidence and skills being encouraged to develop in our boys. Debating teams also share the library space where we pitch our skills against other schools in our area.

The Sydney Morning Herald Plain English Competition is also run out of the Library.

Chess is very popular in the library at both recess and lunchtime breaks. The annual chess tournament has become a twice-yearly event where contests are very keenly fought with the victors being awarded trophies and medals.

Over the past years, we have hosted a range of storytellers in the library. Authors include award-winning Markus Zusak, who has visited us several times; Monty Boori Prior, for NAIDOC week; Dorothy Makasa, for Refugee week; D.C.Green and Scot Gardner. On each occasion, the boys have been spellbound.

I would like to finish on a quote by Phillip Pullman, author of "The Golden Compass" as it encapsulates why we value our library.

Stories are the most important thing in the world. Without stories, we wouldn't be human beings at all.