Australian Reading Hour: On Thursday 20 September, you’re invited to stop what you’re doing for one hour and pick up a book to take the time to learn, grow, escape and relax. The Australian Reading Hour is held annually and we’ll be celebrating at the College by promoting reading in class and during Primary and Secondary lunch breaks next Thursday.
Why Read?
- Reading helps you relax. Reading reduces stress by 68%, relieving stress more quickly than listening to music, going for a walk or having a cup of tea.
- Reading is contagious! Children who know adults who read for pleasure take it for granted that reading is valuable.
- In children, reading has been shown to help with identity formation, setting them up for success in the future.
- When tested for empathy, readers of narrative fiction achieved significantly higher than other groups.
- Reading boosts brain power, increases knowledge and intelligence.
- Readers are exposed to new vocabulary which in turn improves spelling and writing.
- It was found by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research that reading to children six to seven days a week puts them almost a year ahead of those who are not being read to.
“Most vital human functions are accompanied by pleasure, and reading is no exception. I’m proud and delighted to be an Australian Reading Hour Ambassador for 2018, and to use the opportunity to gently remind the adult community that young people deserve that pleasure every day. They also need it, because no other activity will better equip young people to embrace their futures in a sometimes dark and uncertain world with optimism, resolve and creativity. Our stories have saved us in the past, and in the minds of young readers they can again.” Morris Gleitzman, Children’s Laureate and 2018 Australian Reading Hour Ambassador.
Australian Reading Hour 2018, accessed 8 September 2018, <https://reading.theconnectednarrative.com/#learn>. Wise, A n.d., 8 Science-Backed Reasons to Read a (Real) Book, accessed 8 September 2018, <https://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/benefits-of-reading-real-books>.
Reading Hour – Sunshine Coast event suitable for all ages
Australian Reading Hour and Voices on the Coast present a storytime event for the whole community. Join us for an evening of story and fun as Australia’s finest children’s authors read their books to you and your family during Australian Reading Hour on Thursday 20 September between 5:30pm to 8:00pm.
Families and children of all ages will be delighted with Storytelling authors Peter Carnavas (The Elephant), Chris Collin (Funky Chicken Mission Incrocible), Aleesah Darlison (The Daddy Shop), Dave Hackett (Time for Bed Daddy) and Emma Middleton (The Bear in our Backyard).
Whilst our young adult fans will be able to join bestselling YA authors Lynette Noni (We Three Heroes) and Jessica Townsend (Nevermoor), where they talk about their books and answer questions.
Book your ticket to secure your spot. Entry is gold coin donation, with proceeds going to the Cherbourg Aboriginal Community and Immanuel Lutheran College Interact charities. Every donation will receive a ticket for a lucky door prize! There will be a Sausage Sizzle, preloved and new book sale and author signings after storytelling. Remember to wear your PJ’s, wackiest slippers and bring a pillow.
Full Details on www.voicesonthecoast.com.au
Thank you for your patience with the final Book Fair reorders. As always our top sellers usually require reordering and these were placed daily throughout our recent Book Fair. Special thanks to Shondra Briton and our wonderful team of volunteers who’ve been unpacking, sorting and delivering these orders to classrooms.
Holiday Reading
Students are welcome to borrow from our print collection for over the holidays. There’s a great selection of stories from a range of genres together with interesting information books available for loan. Primary students in Year 3-6 can access the Literacy Pro eBook Library over the holidays via the GCCHub Weebly. An instructional video for this is located here (see you child for the Weebly password). Secondary students can access the eBook collection and audiobook selection from our Wheelers eplatform using their school username and password. Audiobooks are enjoying increased popularity for young people and adults and we have over 300 e-audiobooks available for loan.
All the best for the end of Term 3 and we hope you have a relaxing holiday with lots of time to enjoy a great read!
See you in the library.
Vanessa McKellar and Beryl Morris, Teacher Librarians