Students across the ACT were issued the challenge to read more than 15 books in eight months, and thousands of them succeeded.
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This year saw 31,000 students across 90 schools take part and complete the Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge, the largest number in the challenge’s 12-year history.
On Wednesday, students from 48 schools were recognised for their reading efforts at a ceremony at the National Library.
Among the schools to receive recognition, 27 from across the territory had 100 per cent of their students complete the challenge.
One of them was Fadden Primary School, which had all of their 322 students from kindergarten to year 6 take part.
Year 3 student Andre Vincent was the biggest reader from his school in the years 3 to 4 category, reading more than 40 books during the challenge.
“This was the first [Chief Minister’s Reading Challege] that I’ve done. I read every night,” he said.
Among Andre’s favourite books to read during the challenge were those in the Goosebumps series as well as Harry Potter, which was also among the favourites for year 6 student Annabelle Vial.
“I like fantasy books as they’re really interesting,” she said.
“I also like reading because there’s two different perspectives.”
Speaking after the ceremony, Fadden Primary School’s principal Liz Wallace said 2016 was the most successful year for the school.
This was also the first year the school had been given an award at the end of the reading challenge.
We love to see our children read and free their mind,” she said.
“It’s all about getting the children reading every day and doing it for interest, rather than just for learning purposes.”
In order to help complete the challenge, students at the school read during library lessons as well as during classtime.
“It’s getting them to read throughout the day and sharing stories with one another,” Mrs Wallace said.
Schools recognised at the ceremony on Wednesday shared in $14,000 worth of book vouchers from Paperchain Bookstore.
ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry said the challenge will return to ACT schools next year.
“The challenge has become an important event on the school calendar in the ACT,” she said.
“It’s a great way for students to get involved in reading while developing a lifelong passion for books and the craft of storytelling.”
Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
