Paralowie R-12 school has a modern and well utilized Resource Centre. Students have access to over 70,000 resources, items catalogued can be accessed through student laptops and library staff. Being staffed by three fully qualified teacher librarians, working R-12 and 2 Support Staff, students are fully supported to select relevant and engaging resources.
To support students in finding resources the collection is divided into several categories, following both the Dewey Decimal and Lexile System.
R–6 consists of Junior Fiction, Junior Non-Fiction, series books, graphic novels and levelled Readers.
The 7-12 section stocks Young Adolescent Fiction, Non-Fiction, Graphic Novels, Periodicals and daily newspapers.
The Resource Centre’s open plan design can accommodate classes in up to 3 different learning areas. Students can work independently in a quiet study area, using individual study tables. Teachers are always on duty to support student research, resource selection and support with task analysis.
Students R-6 participate in teacher lead lessons developed in line with ACARA and focusing on and promoting reading and writing skills. R-6 students also have access to graded readers, aligned to Fountas & Pinnell reading levels to encourage and develop independent reading skills. Reader selection is guided and supported by classroom teachers and Resource Centre staff.
‘Premier’s Reading Challenge’ (PRC)
Student participation in the Premier’s Reading Challenge Program has increased greatly every year and several of our students have meet the highest level currently attainable. A PRC lunch and award ceremony is held each year to celebrate 7–12 student reading success. R–6 students celebrate by having an awards assembly.
‘Early Bird’ Reading
This program provides 1:1 support for R–6 students to promote literacy skills by reading with young students and teaching independent reading skills and reinforcing the basic fundamental reading principles. Several senior students also volunteer their time to support younger student’s reading.
Book Week
This is a highlight each year and is celebrated in term 3. Our book week parade involves all students R-6 and lots of parents and grandparents coming to watch the parade.