November 15, 2013
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington presented certificates to 28 enthusiastic Kingaroy State School students this week who successfully completed the eighth annual Premier’s Reading Challenge.
Mrs Frecklington congratulated the students for their reading efforts over the past few months to complete the challenge.
“Kingaroy State School staff have done a fantastic job encouraging a love of reading in students from Prep to Year 7,” she said.
“Students from Prep to Year 4 read 20 books. Years 5 to 7 read 15 books, because they will generally select longer and more complicated titles which take longer to read.
“I’ve also had the opportunity to present certificates to students at Yarraman State School and Coolabunia State School.
“Across the Nanango Electorate, thirteen schools took part and I’m very proud of all the children who participated,” she said.
All students who complete the challenge receive a certificate with the Premier’s signature. Their schools go into a draw to win NRL jerseys and footballs, or family passes from Village Roadshow Theme Parks.
Premier Campbell Newman said 118,500 students from 735 Queensland schools as well as home-schooled children took part in this year’s challenge, with a record 84,000 completing it.
“From May 14 to September 6 students all over Queensland poured through more than 1.7 million books as part of the challenge,” Mr Newman said.
“The Premier’s Reading Challenge helps improve literacy by encouraging children to read a range of different books, helping to exercise young imaginations and open up a world of facts and figures.”
Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said parents and teachers also deserved recognition.
“Their efforts in fostering a love of reading helps set Queensland children up for a lifetime of learning,” he said.
“The Government is committed to delivering better student outcomes.
“Together with school communities, we are focused on boosting teacher quality, increasing school autonomy and improving student discipline. We will continue to revitalise frontline services like education for Queensland families.”
