lockdown we also ran several staff trivia nights , which were well attended ( albeit virtually ) by staff across all departments of the school .
The Scotch College Literature Festival is a well-known , weeklong festival that the Senior School Library staff run every two years . I have been lucky enough to be involved in several festivals since I started working at Scotch .
There is a lot of work in the lead-up to the festival and the energy of the week is fantastic . So much time goes into planning – booking just the right keynote speakers and workshop presenters and working them into the timetable so each student has the opportunity to attend is a huge task . The week is always a great success and a true credit to all of the staff around the school who bring it all together .
INTERVIEW :
FLEUR EAMES
LIBRARY TECHNICIAN
Let ’ s start by finding out about your background prior to working at Scotch . Would you mind telling us a bit about yourself ?
After spending many years in various departments of local government , I moved into public libraries and worked across the five library branches of Hobsons Bay City Council as part of the Children ’ s Library Team . I would develop and deliver programs for the school holidays aimed at school-aged children , and daily storytime sessions for the pre-schoolers .
After I had both of my own children , who are now 23 and 20 , I moved to a part-time team leader position .
Could you tell us about your role and the activities you have previously taken on , or are currently involved with at Scotch ?
I started at Scotch in 2014 as a Library Technician . As part of the Senior School Library I have been involved in planning many successful events . The annual Best Books for Boys is an event which over 200 keen parents and students attend . When we ran the event in lockdown we had the same numbers . During
What generally constitutes some of the highlights of your week and keeps on motivating you ?
I really like hearing about what the boys are reading and usually I read the same books , as I enjoy young adult literature . I try to have at least one or two books on the go at all times ; we are truly lucky to be spoilt for choice with our collection . A friend I went to school with once told me I was always walking around with a pile of books to read – it seems nothing has changed ! Visitors are always impressed with the library , and our collection is wide and varied . Scotch College students are big readers which is wonderful . They are always keen to hear a recommendation from library staff , and we like to hear theirs .
On a personal note , would you mind sharing some of your passions and hobbies ?
I attend as much live music and theatre as I can . My children also share my love of music , so they enjoy coming along with me where possible . It ’ s certainly getting harder these days to go out late on a ‘ school night ’ so if more bands can play Friday and Saturday nights that would be great !
I also love travelling , and if I can see a show or band while I ’ m away on holiday , that ’ s a perfect trip . An absolute highlight was seeing Hamilton on Broadway with my daughter , and being lucky enough to attend Saturday Night Live while in New York City .
Everyone loves a good story , so are there any particular anecdotes or memories that you could share with us ?
We were at a Neil Finn show at Hamer Hall a few years ago . Neil asked for people to come up on stage with him and sing , so of course my friend and I did . The next day at work another Scotch colleague told us he was also there – up in the balcony of Hamer Hall – and had turned to his friend proudly and said ‘ that ’ s the girls from the library singing with Neil ’. Yes , we were !
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