Literacy 

This term the students have been learning about the comprehension strategies of Visualising and Predicting. In Prep-2 the students have been completing daily synthetics phonics lessons. They have been reading decodable passages related to the sounds they are learning. In Levels 3-6, students have been focusing on Reader's Workshop and teachers have embedded the 'Big 6' into these sessions. 

The Big 6 is an approach that includes the elements of Oral Language, Phonics, Phonemic Awareness, Fluency, Comprehension and Vocabulary. Research has shown that these six key components contribute to successful reading. 

Teachers have been learning about Scarborough's Reading Rope which includes the Big 6 and have learnt about the key components of this rope which contributes to students becoming proficient readers. Staff completed an interactive activity with their team to unpack the reading rope.

Victorian Premier's Reading Challenge 

We welcome the return of the Victorian Premiers' Reading Challenge for 2025. Students are encouraged to complete the challenge by entering choice/challenge books they have read, onto the PRC platform. Students have individual logins and passwords, which their teachers have handed out. 

For more information please visit https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-reading-challenge or contact your child's teacher.

Number of books you need to read

Prep to Year 2 (these can be read or listened to)

Number of books: 30

Number of books from the Challenge book list: 20 or more

Year 3 to Year 6

Number of books: 15

Number of books from the Challenge book list: 10 or more

All students who complete the challenge for the cut off date (04 September) will receive a certificate.

Message from the Premier

To Victoria’s incredible parents and carers,

Welcome to the 2025 Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge. 

The Challenge is all about discovery: helping young Victorians discover new books, and a love of reading. 

And this year is even more special. We’re wishing the Premiers’ Reading Challenge a very happy 20th birthday!

Over those past 20 years, more than 4.5 million young Victorians have taken up the Challenge, reading more than 63 million books.

They couldn’t have done it without support from the very important people in their lives – just like you. 

Reading together is one of the most powerful ways we can help kids build their literacy skills. 

(And if you’ve read the same books together so many times you can recite them in your sleep, the Challenge is a great way to find some new favourites!) 

When your child completes the Premiers’ Reading Challenge, they will receive a Certificate of Achievement. More importantly, they’ll have the satisfaction of having read a whole lot of books. 

If you’re looking for more – you can follow the official Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge Facebook page and join a community of participating parents, teachers and families. 

Good luck and happy reading, 

Jacinta Allan 

Proud mum of two

Member for Bendigo East Premier of Victoria

PS. Last year I loved hearing from kids about the books they were reading, and I received some beautiful drawings inspired by Challenge stories. So please let me know how you’re going – tell me about your favourite books or share some amazing art – by emailing jacinta.allan@parliament.vic.gov.au