There’s just a couple of days left for this year’s Premier’s Reading Challenge which could see young Queenslanders read up to 2.5 million books by the end of August.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk visited Durack State School during Book Week to encourage students to keep up their love of reading in the final week of the Challenge.
“When I was at school, I loved reading and I still do,” the Premier said.
“This is one of my favourite initiatives as I have students contacting me from all over the state telling me they are doing the challenge and what books they are reading.
“It’s not only a great way to promote and improve an essential life skill, but it also helps foster a love of reading which can kickstart a hugely rewarding lifelong pastime.”
The 2022 Premier’s Reading Challenge runs from 9th May until the 26th August and is open to students from Prep to Year 9 each year, as well as children enrolled in early childhood centres.
“Last year 168,000 children from 926 schools and 357 early learning centres read or experienced an incredible 2.39 million books, which is a fantastic achievement that we’d really like to beat this year,” the Premier said.
“So far this year 930 schools and 349 early childhood centres have registered.
“In our record year in 2018, approximately 2.46 million books were read by more than 180,000 Queensland children and students from 1012 schools and 388 early childhood centres.”
Minister for Education Grace Grace said the goal is for students to read or experience 15 to 20 books, depending on their age and reading level.
“Early childhood centres are able to participate by choosing a seven-day period in August and helping their kids to experience as many books as possible in that time,” Minister Grace said.
“It’s important to remember the Premier’s Reading Challenge is not a competition.
“It’s a fun and exciting program designed to encourage participation in reading, one of the most important life skills a child can learn.
“The Premier issues Certificates of Achievement for all students who successfully complete the challenge, and there is a prize draw for book vouchers for schools and early childhood centres with a 100 per cent participation rate.”
Durack State School Principal Anja Janosevic said the Premier’s Reading Challenge was a highlight on the school’s calendar for both students and teachers.
“It’s an essential part of our school year here at Durack State School. The students love it and it helps to connect them with a love of reading and learning both at school and at home.
“One year we had a group of Year 4 students who each read 90 books, which is well above what’s required for the challenge.
“We really believe the challenge supports our goal of creating a lifelong love of learning in our students and setting them up for the future.”
