Staff Story

I’ve always believed in the value of lifelong learning. As a teacher-librarian, there’s always something new to explore, new opportunities for further study, and new perspectives to gain.

I provide oversight of the three libraries across our campuses—the Kath James and Walker Libraries at Grimwade House, and the Parncutt Library at our South Yarra campus, which is used by Wadhurst and Senior School students. 

My focus is on teaching students how to learn, explore and think, giving them skills they will use beyond Year 12, into university and for the rest of their lives. I take an “understanding by design” approach, starting with the goal of what we want students to learn, then deciding what evidence we need to show that learning, and then planning the learning itself as the next step. 

In my role, I’m lucky that I also get to do a great deal of team teaching and see a whole range of classroom situations. Not only is having more than one educator in the classroom highly beneficial to student learning, I can work closely with classroom teachers to help identify how I can best support the next learning opportunity from a librarian’s perspective. 

I love that the library is always buzzing with students who enjoy being here. It’s part of my role to help them unpack the topic they want to investigate, introduce them to high quality resources, and help them use those resources effectively whether they have come as part of their class or independently. I believe a library should be a warm, welcoming place where any student can get the help they need. 

I’ve been a teacher-librarian for more than 30 years. When I first came to Melbourne Grammar in 2013, it was nothing like what I had expected. The people here are so friendly, and there’s a real importance placed on positive relationships with students and between staff as well. I feel very privileged to be here.

The resources we’re able to provide students through our collection of over 165,000 items demonstrates how much we value intellectual endeavour and excellence in scholarship here at the School. From their first years at Melbourne Grammar, students are encouraged to engage with reading for pleasure, and to consider a love of reading to be an asset for life.     

Di Ruffles holds a Bachelor of Education in Librarianship from Melbourne University, a postgraduate diploma in computer education, and a Master of Business in information technology. She is currently undertaking a PhD in Education, looking at the transformative learning opportunities of teaching transversal competencies. She has been President of the School Library Association of Victoria since 2014.