book of the month November Term 4 2025
Hi everyone,
We are officially counting down to the summer holidays — even if the weather doesn’t quite agree! As we approach the end of term, it’s time to check for any overdue books, as all loans need to be finalised this month.
This term, thanks to our amazing Andrea and our new library management system, we have been able to identify a large number of older books that have not been borrowed for several years. We’ve focused our efforts on updating the collection to better reflect the changing interests of our students. Our shelves are now looking fresh, engaging, and more relevant than ever.
We also have exciting news to share from the Melton City Library Short Story Writing Competition. After a visit from author Ernie Rijs earlier this year, our students were inspired — and once again, we were successful! Staughton College received the award for the most entries in the teen category, and Year 8 student Kugan Madhavan was presented with the First Time Entrant Encouragement Award. Our school prize has been used to purchase new books requested by students, many of which are already on the shelves. Congratulations to all who entered — we can’t wait to read your stories again next year!
This year, we launched a ‘Student Advisory’ group to support the library’s development, alongside the students who assist with daily operations during breaks. To recognise their wonderful contributions, we are taking them on an excursion to the State Library of Victoria — one of the most stunning libraries in the country. Originally established in 1854 as the Melbourne Public Library, it is Australia’s oldest public library and one of the first free public libraries in the world. We are excited to share such a special place with them.
Once again, a quick reminder: students can access their library accounts using the QR code and their student code (e.g., ABC0001) with the password student. This allows them to check their loans, reserve books or search for other items within the catalogue that may be of interest.
To join or access our Google Classroom use the QR code or the classroom code to join 5d7qree. We look forward to continuing to work with the students, finding ways to engage them with the library and their reading journey.
We all wish our families a great term 3, drop by to see us and enjoy time with your friends in the library.
Melinda, Will and Andrea.
Books of the Month
Our Book of the Month selection is once again a thrilling series!
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a young adult mystery series that begins with the 2013 novel of the same name. It follows 17-year-old Cassie Hobbes, who is recruited by the FBI to join a secret program made up of exceptionally talented teens. Cassie works alongside Dean Redding, Lia Zhang, Michael Townsend, and Sloane Tavish — each with unique skills that help them solve cold cases.
The series is widely praised for its gripping storytelling, clever twists, and well-developed characters. It’s a great pick for fans of crime fiction, murder mysteries, and psychological thrillers. Reviews recommend it mainly for readers aged 12 and up due to darker themes and occasional graphic content, particularly scenes involving the perspective of a serial killer. However, it avoids mature themes such as sexual content, making it a strong choice for older junior readers seeking high-suspense reads.