Welcome to the State Library of WA Education e-Newsletter, helping you to keep up-to-date with what's happening with our educational program, events and resources at the State Library of Western Australia.  As a subscriber you will receive your copy of the e-Newsletter in your inbox every quarter.  If our Education e-Newsletter has been forwarded to you by a friend or colleague, and you would like to continue receiving up-to-date information from the State Library education team, you can subscribe here. You can 'like' us on Facebook and 'follow' us on Twitter.

The State Library is a treasure-trove of historical gems.  We house an extensive collection of original diaries, letters, maps, newspapers, photos, ephemera and more.

The State Library education team creates and facilitates a diverse range of interactive and engaging workshops for students from Foundation to Year 12. Our program supports the Australian and Western Australian curricula and promotes information literacy skills at all levels.

Our education team comprises of experienced teachers who enjoy supporting school students to engage in Western Australian history, understand the value of primary source material and develop information literacy skills.

You can download the current Learning at the State Library brochure from the website.

Sourcing the Swan River Colony was developed in partnership with the National Trust of Western Australia. Written to complement the Year 5 history curriculum, it begins with a visit to the East Perth Cemetery, where students explore the grave sites of our early colonists. A workshop at the State Library follows this, where students develop their research skills and delve deeper into these colonists' lives.

Students learn how to find and access key primary sources from our online collection and how to piece these together to broaden their understanding of early colonial life in Western Australia.

Please note that you will need to book the East Perth Cemetery component of the workshop with the National Trust (08) 9321 6088. Your visit to East Perth Cemetery should ideally precede your visit to the State Library.

For further information about this workshop, and to book, please complete a booking request form, phone (08) 94273202 or email your request to ed@slwa.wa.gov.au

The State Library website contains a wealth of resources for educators to use in their programing. Many of our subject specialist librarians and guest researchers collate and share their research via our website.  These resources contain extensive information and link to items in our collection such as photos, maps, journals and ephemera.

Swan River Stories, developed by
Sue Graham Taylor, inaugural James Sykes Battye Memorial Fellow, is a great resource with geography and history links.  It provides a fascinating look at the social, political and environmental history of Perth water, as told through the use of original photographs, maps and texts.

Leigh Hobbs is the Australian Children's Laureate for 2016-17.  He is best known for his children's books featuring the characters of Old Tom, Horrible Harriet, Fiona the Pig and Mr Chicken; as well as the Freaks and their teachers in 4F for Freaks and Freaks Ahoy.

Librarians, teachers and other educators are invited to join Leigh Hobbs in a free, fun and interactive drawing event at the State Library on the 16th of June at 5pm. 

Books will be available for purchase and signing on the night.  This event is free of charge but bookings are essential via Eventbrite.

Better Beginnings supports parents to foster a love of reading and language in their young children - from babies to pre-schoolers - through stories, rhymes and songs.

Better Beginnings provides FREE reading packs for all four year olds entering kindergarten.  Each pack contains:

• a quality Australian picture book and activity
• information and support for parents about sharing books and stories with their children
• a library bag

Register for your Kindy enrolment numbers online, then contact your local library to organise a delivery of the reading packs, school visit or excursion.

A Teachers Guide supports the program in your classroom.  It contains lesson plans and activities linked to the Australian Curriculum and Early Years Framework.

To find out more about Better Beginnings in your community, contact the State Library of WA on (08) 9427 3130 or better.beginnings@slwa.wa.gov.au, visit your local library or see us online.

Looking for somewhere quiet, convenient and packed full of past papers and study guides? Visit the 1st floor of the State Library, where resources and a group study area are available for you to use.

The State Library education team (from left to right):  Tricia McKenzie, Irena Sikorska, Kate Akerman

For more information on our education workshops please call (08) 9427 3202 or email your request to ed@slwa.wa.gov.au.

We look forward to hearing from you,

Tricia, Irena and Kate
Education Team
State Library of Western Australia