Opening Hours
Prep – Year 6 Students: 8:00am – 3:15pm
Year 7-12: 8:00am – 4pm
Homework Club
Every Thursday (Year 7-12) From 3pm – 4pm
Library News
NATIONAL FAMILY READING MONTH (For Prep – Year 12 Students)
May is National Family Reading month. This year the focus is on families reading aloud together. Reading aloud is the single most important researched activity that leads to language development 
and early literacy skills. The benefits of reading aloud to your children are many; including bonding with your children and helping them strengthen their spelling, writing and speaking skills, creativity, and more. Regular reading aloud with family members is often a powerful predictor that children will become frequent readers. We also know that the majority of children love it!
According to the 2016 Scholastic Australian Kids and Family Reading Report™ more than half of children aged 0–5 (57%) are read aloud to at home 5–7 days a week. This frequency declines to four in 10 kids aged 6–8, and continues to decrease with age. Of those children aged 6–8 whose parents no longer read books aloud at home, half did not want their parents to stop. Read the full report here. Why not set aside time each day this month to experience stories shared aloud or build upon your regular reading routine by adding audio books or a visit to the local library to widen your children’s reading experiences.
During the month of May students have the opportunity to practice their read aloud skills by taking part in the Read Aloud More in May Competition. By participating students go into the draw to win one of fifty $100 book vouchers and 25 teachers could win $200 in Scholastic Rewards!
Here’s how to participate:
- Download the Read Aloud Calendar here (or collect one at the library) so your child can write down the name of the person they read aloud with on each day in May. They can read aloud with family members, friends or even their pets!
- Enter the prize draw online here by Wednesday 31 May.
- Have a parent or caregiver sign the Read Aloud Calendar. Keep it as proof of participation in case your child is drawn as a winner. Return your reading record to the library for a chance to win a GCC schoolwide prize.
- Students can also take part in the Read Aloud More in May colouring competition. Download the colouring sheet here (or collect one at the library). Students can colour this using any preferred medium. Entries are due at the library on Wednesday 31 May. One winner per year level will be chosen.
- See http://readmoreinmay.scholastic.com.au/ for more details.
Importance of Reading Aloud 2014, accessed 9 May 2017, <http://www.reachoutandread.org/our-story/importance-of-reading-aloud/>.
CELEBRATING READING ALOUD AT GCC (Prep – Year 6 students)
During the month of May we’ll be celebrating reading aloud by taking part in National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday 24 May. We’ll be reading the Cow Tripped Over the Moon by Tony Wilson and Laura Wood and hope to have a mystery guest reader join us for the event. National Simultaneous Storytime will take place during Library and Information Week, an annual event that celebrates libraries and the wide range of programs and services they offer.
We are also starting a special Story Time in the library for Primary students on Monday mornings before school. Students are encouraged to attend this weekly session which will be kindly led by one of our College parents. There is no need to book, just come along between 8-8:25am to hear a great story.
PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE (For Prep – Year 9 Students)
The Premier’s Reading Challenge is about to commence and will run from Monday 15 May to Friday 25 August. The Challenge is an initiative for all Queensland students from Prep – Year 9 and we hope to see many GCC students participating again. For a student to successfully complete the Premier’s Reading Challenge they must read or experience the number of books indicated in the table below. Experiencing a book can include classroom or at home activities such as shared reading, listening and reading along with a book, or being read to.
| Year level | Number of books |
| Prep – Year 2 | Read or experience 20 books |
| Years 3 – 4 | 20 books |
| Years 5 – 9 | 15 books |
Students who complete the challenge have their efforts recognised through the receipt of a Certificate of Achievement signed by the Premier of Queensland. In previous years participants have also received discounted theme park tickets or a book voucher. Prizes will be awarded for classes with the most participants.
Enjoy reading aloud with your child this month and thank you for your support in raising amazing readers at GCC.
See you in the library,
Vanessa McKellar and Beryl Morris
Teacher Librarians