Childers State School students reaped the rewards of their passion for reading in the 2014 Premier’s Reading Challenge this month.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett visited the school to present special certificates from Premier Campbell Newman to students who participated in the challenge.
Mr Bennett said the students were among 80,000 students across Queensland who achieved or exceeded their reading challenge targets.
Mr Bennett congratulated keen readers from Childers and passed on the Premier’s congratulations as well.
“It’s fantastic that almost 700 schools across Queensland took up the challenge between May and September this year, with more than 108,000 students registering to participate,” Mr Bennett said.
“That meant reading or experiencing 20 books for Preps to Year 2s, reading 20 books for Years 3-4, and 15 books for Years 5-7 where students generally tackle more challenging reads.
“Reading is a habit best formed while young which brings a lifetime of enhanced educational opportunities and imaginative adventure.
“I’m excited that this initiative, now nine years old, introduces our young people to such a life-shaping skill, not to mention the enjoyment to be had while engrossed in a good book.
“It’s pleasing to see students in the Isis area exploring the world through the pages of quality books.”
Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek said 2014’s young readers worked their way through 1.65 million books during the challenge period between May and September.
“The Premier’s Reading Challenge is a wonderful support for our Great Results Guarantee which this year has seen $131 million allocated to state schools to build student literacy and numeracy skills,” Mr Langbroek said.
“In many schools this funding has been used to promote reading, with an emphasis on the early years.
“I can’t think of a better way of backing this up than through an established program like the Premier’s Reading Challenge, which encourages students to develop a love of books at an early age.”
