English Faculty

Drop Everything and Read! 

 A New Chapter at St Joseph’s Catholic College

Something special is happening every Wednesday morning at St Joseph’s Catholic College — a quiet pause in the day where students and teachers alike escape into the pages of a book. Our Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) program has been successfully introduced this term, encouraging a love of reading across the whole school.

With the changes to the NSW English curriculum highlighting the importance of regular reading, we have made it a priority to create time for students to engage with books beyond the classroom. Every Wednesday during Pastoral Care, students set aside their devices, open a book of their choice, and simply read.

Already, the impact has been noticeable. Students are more engaged with books, discussions about reading are increasing, and many are discovering new genres and authors they might not have picked up before. It’s a simple concept, but one that is fostering a stronger reading culture within our school.

We encourage parents to support this initiative at home by asking what their child is reading, visiting the local library together, or setting aside family reading time. Reading is a habit that benefits students in every subject, and we are excited to see this enthusiasm continue to grow.

Happy reading!

Shannon Monro

English Leader of Learning