As we celebrate Book Week 2022, I want to spend some time talking about the importance of reading, our approach to teaching reading and highlight some strategies to ensure your child continues to read for learning and for enjoyment long into the future.

My Mum was a primary school teacher and a trained librarian. My sister and I were fortunate to be immersed with books from a young age. Yet whilst I loved being read to, I didn’t always love reading myself. Mum would read us the classics from Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl before bed each night, but I wasn’t an avid borrower from the library. Often, reading my take-home book from school was a chore. It would frustrate Mum no-end that the only reading I would do would be the collection of ‘Footy Records’ (that I still have to this day!) from the matches my Dad would take me to.

At some stage, maybe late in Primary School, I think Mum resolved within herself that I was not going to be a lover of the ‘great classics’ of literature. I would read non-fiction books, almost always sports-based, and I grew to love it. She made a couple of commitments to help me build that love of reading; I could choose one book to purchase each month from the ‘Book Club’ magazine, and she would always buy me a new book at the start of each school holidays, ensuring my nose would be in a book for as long as possible, not causing havoc with my friends outside!

Instilling a love of reading in our students is what we are committed to at our school. It begins before your child even starts at our school; the library is the first place I take families during our school tours. How can you not love reading when you walk into our library space? We have an amazing range of books that are beautifully presented in a space that is aesthetically pleasing, calm and relaxing. Our librarian, Nicole Wapling, ably supported by our Library Leaders Alicia, Billie and Jenson, as well as a small and passionate group of volunteers, ensure this space is one of the most treasured in our school.

A love of reading is on display in our classrooms. I often walk-in to classes that are in complete silence; students sitting somewhere comfortable with a favourite book, a book from a recent ‘reading group’ session or a ‘best fit’ book, participating in a sustained reading session. Sustained reading enhances enjoyment of reading, increases comprehension, builds vocabulary and improves writing skills. Sustained reading is a key strategy in our ‘reading instructional model’.

‘Book clubs’ for grown-ups has been popularised through movies and I’m sure plenty of our parents have joined one over the years. Our students work in reading groups too in a not-dissimilar way; our younger students participating in ‘guided reading’ groups in the ‘learn to read’ stage, whilst our older students participate in ‘reciprocal reading’ groups and ‘literature circles’; using their reading skills to learn, as well as for enjoyment.

Often I have parents on school tours ask about what they can do to support their children at home; my response is always to start with a book. I should be a little broader with my response; read anything (even the Footy Record!). Despite not necessarily being the most passionate or best reader as a child, I now read every day without fail. I still read from a narrow selection of interest areas, but it grows my knowledge and I thoroughly enjoy it. For me, reading before bed is an important mindfulness strategy at the end of a busy day. I model this to my own girls too; ensuring I always read to them before they go to bed each night.

Thank you to our students, staff and teachers for the wonderful Book Week celebrations held across the school this week. A huge shout-out to our Literacy Leader, Maddy Reid, and Librarian, Nicole Wapling, for their leadership and initiative this week to make it one to remember for all our students.

Thanks for your ongoing support and keep doing your best.

Rohan.

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