November 20, 2012
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington has congratulated 10 local schools for successfully completing the 7th annual Premier’s Reading Challenge.
Mrs Frecklington said more than 82,000 Prep to Year 7 students in State and non-State schools across Queensland participated in this year’s Challenge, which ran from May 22 to September 7.
Schools taking part in the Nanango electorate were Coolabunia, Crawford, Kingaroy, Taabinga, Tanduringie and Yarraman State schools and St John’s Lutheran Primary School.
“It is wonderful to see so many local school students immersing themselves in books, learning, laughing and developing their confidence as young readers,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Students, teachers and parents have all put a lot of effort into reaching their targets for the Premier’s Reading Challenge.”
Mrs Frecklington said students were required to reach different targets, depending on their age.
“Our youngest readers in Prep to Year 2 were encouraged to develop an early love of books by reading or experiencing 20 books,” she said.
“Children in Years 3 and 4 were asked to read 20 books by themselves, which challenged them to become more independent readers.
“Taking into account that older students would choose longer, more complex books to read, students in Years 5, 6 and 7 aimed to read more than 15 books during the Challenge.”
Mrs Frecklington said students who completed the Challenge received a certificate signed by the Premier.
“A certificate from the Premier is a great incentive for students to complete the challenge but the real reward is improved literacy and a greater love of reading. Literacy is one of the most important skills a young child can develop, and by taking this Challenge, local students are getting the best start they can by learning to read and write well,” she said.
Participating schools will be holding special events and activities until November 23 to recognise the students’ reading successes.
