Plato
Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.
Have you enjoyed this recent bout of rainy weather? Perhaps, you found a little extra time to snuggle up on the couch with a good book and a cup of tea? If you are like me, you can easily while away the hours lost in the pages of a delicious novel or follow your curiosity through your love of reading. You don't need incentive or motivation to read, for you have come to know the joy of reading and the many ways it enriches your life.
My enthusiasm for literature was seeded as an infant on my mother's lap, as she lovingly read from the pages of Eric Carle and Dr Suess. She patiently re-read my favourite stories and knew the words to 'The Little Engine That Could' by heart. However, it was once I started school that this passion sprouted, took hold, and grew roots. For I was blessed to attend schools, much like St Peters that understood the importance of fostering and nurturing a love of reading. My library was a warm and welcoming place to spend lunchtime digging through book boxes and browsing the shelves for my next adventure. I knew passionate librarians and had teachers that understood that reading should be a social experience. They provided opportunities to discuss and debate books, challenged me to think beyond my own experience and, in turn, broadened my perspective of the world.
At St Peters Springfield, we realise that reading is a gateway to learning about all things. A regular habit of reading is key to improving students' literacy skills, creativity and, in turn, their overall academic performance. As such, we intentionally create and promote a reading culture that not only includes but extends beyond classroom literacy lessons. We want our students to have opportunities to develop an enjoyment of reading and books, no matter their reading level.
One way we achieve this is by creating warm and welcoming spaces for students to engage in reading in our classrooms and shared spaces. We are grateful to the P & F for their generous donation towards the contemporary library furniture, which has helped Mrs Lythall to create an engaging space for readers of all ages, by including cosy reading nooks, accessible shelving, and collaborative seating options. Our primary classrooms include flexible seating options that promote individual and shared reading experiences and comfortable reading spaces have been established in the Junior High precinct.
We recognise that reading is as much a social experience as an individual one. Students need opportunities to discuss what they read to build deeper conceptual connections and relationships with one another. We continuously look for ways to promote reading and allow students to share with others. We encourage this through activities such as book clubs and the Readers Cup. The Readers Cup is a state-wide competition organised by the Queensland branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia. Here teams of four students are challenged to collaboratively read a selection of texts and compete against other schools to answer quiz questions. St Peters has two teams preparing for this competition under the guidance of Mrs Kelly Stolz. We wish them the very best for the competition on Thursday.
One of the advantages of being a K-12 school is the many opportunities for our older students to interact with and support our youngest learners. This term, Mrs Lucy Hinchcliffe began an exciting initiative with her Year 11 Pastoral Care class. Several mornings a week, the Year 11 students start their day by reading with students in younger year levels. This valuable service-learning initiative brings joy to all involved and demonstrates the value of reading to our young learners. We also have buddy programs between the Year 4 and Kindergarten and Year 5 and Prep, where reading is always a favourite activity.
This week our lower primary students participated in the National Simultaneous Storytime and listened to a shared reading of 'Family Tree' by Josh Pike and illustrated by Ronojay Ghosh. National Simultaneous Storytime is an important national event encouraging young children to read and enjoy books. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, pre-schools, and childcare centres around Australia and New Zealand. Our Kindergarten to Year Two gathered in the Hub, and our Year 3 students were fortunate to travel to the Springfield library to participate in the event with children from other local schools. After the reading, the children discussed the book and engaged in various activities to enhance the experience.
Many of our students are currently participating in the Premier's Reading Challenge. The Challenge begins in April and runs through to the end of August. Students in Prep to Year 2 are required to read or experience 20 books, students in Years 3 and 4 are required to read 20 books and students in Years 5 to 9 are challenged to read 15 books. Every student that completes the Challenge is acknowledged and receives a special certificate. During this period, St Peters provides additional incentive to read through the House Challenge. Here students are awarded one point per book read for their house. Regular updates are given at assemblies to encourage and motivate the students to keep reading. At the end of the Challenge, the house with the most points is declared the winner at a special assembly. Prizes are also awarded to individuals in each section who have read the most books. It is not too late to get started, and forms are available in the Hub or from your child's teacher.
At St Peters we want all students to know the joy of reading and access the world of opportunities that being a confident reader will bring. Reading is deeply embedded in the life of our college, both through quality individualised reading instruction and through building a culture of reading supported by the school environment and participation in a range of exciting events. For information on ways to support your child and foster a love of reading please talk to your child's teacher or visit our Firefly page: https://stpeters.fireflycloud.net.au/springfield-primary-parent-information/home-reading-information
