OUTSTANDING SCHOOLS HONOURED IN PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE

Enthusiastic readers from 12 Queensland schools were honoured in the inaugural Premier’s Reading Challenge awards at Parliament House today.

Education and Training Minister, Rod Welford, presented the awards to the schools which had the highest levels of participation in the challenge.

“The Premier’s Reading Challenge was an initiative of our Government aimed at improving literacy and cultivating a passion in children to read widely for pleasure and learning,” Mr Welford said.

“More than 47,000 Queensland students met the challenge, reading more than 870,000 books with the help of their schools, teachers and care-givers.

Students in Prep and Preschool to Year 2 were challenged to read or experience 20 books over a 10-week period, and Year 3 students read 10 books over the same period.

At the award ceremony today, young students were given the chance to meet and interact with some “reading role models”, including TV personalities and children’s authors.

“These role models were with our students today to reinforce the main message behind our challenge – that reading is fun,” Mr Welford said.

“Students as young as five had the chance to speak with Ranger Stacy and author James Moloney about the importance of reading.”

Mr Welford said the Premier’s Reading Challenge had provided a range of benefits.

“Students’ imaginations were expanded by reading about new people, places and things. Students learnt about new and exciting ideas,” he said.

“The challenge also provided parents and care-givers with a new opportunity to spend time enjoying books with their children.”

The Premier’s Reading Challenge is supported by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

A list of the 12 award-winning schools and their awards follows.

All of the Queensland students who met the challenge have now received their individual certificates signed by the Premier.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985

5 December, 2006

2006 Premier’s Reading Challenge outstanding participation awards recipients