Top marks tipped for Queensland reading and writing

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Education Minister Grace Grace have today launched a suite of initiatives to support reading, writing and strengthen children’s literacy at Nundah State School. 

At the launch of the 2018 Premier’s Reading Challenge, the Premier confirmed the Palaszczuk Government would recommence the Queensland Ready Reading Program from this year.

“We made a commitment at the election to reintroduce this successful reading program, which was scrapped by the LNP Government in 2012,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“This program will see up to 3000 reading volunteers, trained by Volunteering Queensland, go into schools across the state to share the love of reading with students.

“My Government will invest more than $1.5 million over three years to reintroduce this important initiative.

“We’ll have Ready Reading trainers embedded across the state, benefiting students from Far North Queensland right down to the Gold Coast.”

Ms Palaszczuk said registrations to become a Ready Reading Volunteer would open from 14 May this year.

“We know literacy is a powerful tool which gives children the best start at school, but also builds a solid foundation that shapes every aspect of their lives,” she said.

“A key part of my Government’s focus is giving students a strong start in their early years and that’s one of our key priorities.

“This means we need to look at how we can improve students’ wellbeing before they start school – including their physical health and wellbeing, social skills, emotional maturity, language and cognitive experiences, as well as communication and general knowledge.”

Ms Grace joined the Premier in reading to a Year 2 class at Nundah State School today.

“I know Nundah State School has a strong reading program and regularly participates in the Premier’s Reading Challenge, now in its 13^th year,” Ms Grace said.

“We want all children around the state to have a strong foundation in literacy and that’s what the Premier’s Reading Challenge and the Ready Reading Program are all about.

“Last year more than 155,000 young Queenslanders took part in the challenge, reading more than 2.16 million books.

“This included individual readers and participants from 850 schools and 410 early childhood education and care services across the state.”

Member for Nudgee Leanne Linard attended the event at Nundah State School today and encouraged all Queensland students to take part in the Premier’s Reading Challenge.

“I know there will already be plenty of youngsters from state and non-state schools, as well as home-schooled students, who will be hitting the books as part of the challenge which runs from 14 May to 24 August 2018,” Ms Linard said.

“Even children in early childhood education can take part from 13 to 24 August.

“This year for the first time, suggested book titles will be available in Chinese, French, German and Japanese as well as English. 

“Learners with special needs or those who do not speak or read Standard Australian English at home can engage with books that support their needs, such as those in large print, braille or audio.”

During the Premier’s Reading Challenge students aim to read a minimum number of books with no limit on the maximum number. The 2018 Premier’s Reading Challenge is supported by QSuper, RACQ, Queensland Ballet, Booktopia and The Courier-Mail.

More information on the 2018 Premier’s Reading Challenge is available at www.education.qld.gov.au/schools/readingchallenge/

Registrations to become a Queensland Ready Reading Volunteer will open from 14 May 2018: https://volunteeringqld.org.au/

Media contact: Susan McGrady 0488 996 667