Majella’s Multilingual Library, a place to connect and share
23 July 2024
Majella Catholic Primary School, known for its rich cultural diversity, has taken a significant step in fostering growth and learning among its students with the launch of new multilingual resourcing of its Library. With 90 per cent of their students coming from Language Backgrounds other than English (LBOTE), the introduction of these multilingual resources is set to significantly enhance the educational experience and personal development of Majella’s students.
Reading is a cornerstone of growth and learning, and in a community where many students speak languages other than English at home, having access to books in their first languages is crucial. It not only helps in maintaining their cultural heritage but also supports their proficiency in both their first language and English, thus bridging the gap between home and school environments.
With the support of a grant from Catholic Education WA, Majella secured many bilingual books and resources in languages including
Punjabi, Hindi, Malayalam, Dinka, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili, Vietnamese, Arabic, and Turkish – ensuring that students have access to literature that reflects their linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Students commented on how this new space has helped them connect with their heritage and community.
“What I love about the library is because there are lots of books in my language and I love that language because it’s my favourite. Malayalam is my language,” said Dari.
“There is much more room to read, and people are quiet, which makes me feel happy about the library” said Tabiso.
“The library is beautiful. Mrs Schwenke is very kind and she’s got a lot of books, in Spanish and English,” said Zack.
“I love the library because the books have my language and different languages. I am Spanish and it makes me happy to have books in my language,” said Alejandro.
“I can learn about different countries because of the new country books,” said Aber.
“The library has my favourite books. I speak Turkish and there are books with my language now that I can take home, and my mum can read to me,” added Arda.
Principal David Barns said,
“The official launch of the Multilingual Library was a successful event that highlighted our community spirit. Parents and community members were invited to witness older students reading to younger ones in various languages, many of which are the first languages of our students. This demonstration of linguistic diversity and inclusion was a proud moment for all involved. Following the readings, children were presented with homemade cupcakes, each adorned with flags representing their countries of origin, while parents and guests enjoyed a pleasant morning tea together.
“The establishment of the Majella Catholic Primary School Multilingual Library is more than just an addition of books; it is a celebration of our diverse community and a commitment to providing our students with the resources they need to thrive. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this initiative will have on our students’ academic and personal growth.”
Mr Barns gave a special acknowledgement to staff members Pia Schwenke, Bronte McKenna and Maddy Christmass who led the initiative.
“Their professional dedication and leadership have ensured that these books are seamlessly integrated into our overall library resources, making them readily accessible and a meaningful part of our students’ educational journey.”
