English

Reading at Kellyville High School

As we progress in the 2026 school year at KHS, one important focus area for all students is reading – wide-reading, explicit reading strategies and skills, and reading for pleasure.

Students in the Middle School (Years 7-9) will be spending time in their English classes undertaking wide-reading. The aim is to allow them to explore a range of different styles and genres, and challenging them to read more, read more widely, and read more demanding books. We know that reading skills are central to all school subjects. We also hope to further develop the reading culture that exists in our school, and to allow students to see the value in the act of reading.

All students are encouraged to enter the Premier’s Reading Challenge. The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. Each year the Challenge sets age-appropriate booklists of Australian and international books, pushing students to increase their reading, and the variety in the books that they read.

Students can enter The Premier’s Reading Challenge online at www.premiersreadingchallenge.nsw.edu.au

How can parents help to increase reading at home?

• Help kids access a wide range of books – join the local library. Share the books you enjoyed when you were young.
• Set an allocated reading time – 20-30 minutes every few days can have a huge impact.
• Make reading time a family activity – read while your children read, and model the behaviour.
• Read the books your child is reading – talk to them about it. What did they like? What would they have changed? What did they think of the ending? Who was their favourite character?