MS Readathon
Registrations are now open for the MS Readathon, an annual fundraiser that supports Australians living with multiple sclerosis. The MS Readathon is designed to inspire a love of reading, as students log books they read during the month of August, all for an incredible cause. This year there’s a brand new interactive website that lets kids write book reviews and rate their favourite reads. They can even use the MS Readathon as an exciting way to finish off the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Funds raised will help children attend special MS Family Camps. These camps help families living with multiple sclerosis to spend quality time together, learn more about multiple sclerosis and bond with others who are sharing their journey.
Students can be registered for the MS Readathon by following these simple steps:
How to register
- Register your child/children – Log on to the GCCReads fundraising page (link shared last week with families via email) and click the ‘Join Us’ tab to fill in their details.
- Encourage your child/children to read during the month of August – Remind your child/children to write down how many books they have read or how many minutes they read for. This year they can also add book reviews and rate their favourite read. Friends and family sponsor them by either pledging an amount per book read, the time they spend reading or by giving a donation.
- Assist your child/children to fundraise – Asking your family and friends is a great way to start. They may even be able to help you think of ways to help raise money for people with MS.
Thank you in advance for helping support such a worthy cause. For more details go to: https://www.msreadathon.org.au/.
Voices on the Coast
The Voices on the Coast Literature Festival was recently held at the University of the Sunshine Coast. The festival had two student days held at USC plus a number of additional events aimed at adults, readers and emerging writers that were held across the Sunshine Coast during the festival.
A group of our Primary and Secondary students attended the student days that were targeted towards students from Year 4 to Year 12. With over 150 talks and workshops to select from, our students were given the opportunity to hear from a great range of talented authors and illustrators. Voices on the Coast aims to inspire readers and emerging writers to continue to pursue their love of reading/writing.
Our students connected with authors, illustrators and guest presenters, gathered some great ideas to incorporate into their own writing or heard about what inspires authors to spend months or even years writing a new book or creating illustrations. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to be in a context that celebrates words, images and the power of the spoken and written word.
The comments from our students say it all:
I really liked all the drawing we did and it was fun finding out about Felice Arena and how he wrote his books. – Euan Year 5
The thing I liked about Voices on the Coast were the workshops. The talk by Richard Newsome was my favourite. It was very interesting and really funny. – Rachael Year 5
I loved the activity booths and all the authors we saw. It was such a great day. Thank you for letting me go. – Caitland Year 6
I loved going and seeing the Slam Poet, Phil Wilcox – he made me laugh so many times and I definitely remembered his name! – Olivia Year 7
All the authors were great and I really loved Taryn Bashford – the session was really challenging and fast-paced and I think it really helped improve my writing. – Maddy Year 10
The best part for me was meeting and having a picture taken with my most FAVOURITE fantasy author ever !!! (Lynette Noni) – Lizzie Year 9
I liked the Mechanica author (Lance Balchin) because he had a strong environmental message and the way he created the mechanica was really cool. – Scott Year 8
I really enjoyed the Lance Balchin session because it was interesting to see what he thought about the future and robots. – Arno Year 7
The festival is presented annually by Immanuel Lutheran College and the University of Sunshine Coast and is attended by over 10,000 students. Special thanks to the staff and parents that assisted at the excursions this year. We look forward to taking another enthusiastic busload of readers and writers to the festival in 2019!
Looking for more opportunities for young readers and writers?
Word Play, the Brisbane Writers Festival Education program for young readers, storytellers and illustrators has launched its program for this year. The program will be held from 4-7 September at the State Library of Queensland and GOMA. Program and booking information can be found here.
See you in the library.
Vanessa McKellar and Beryl Morris, Teacher Librarians
GCC families can see all the photos on Pixevety.