A CAVALCADE of stars became “Real Role Models Readers” for students during Book Week celebrations at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Darra,
Guest readers included Prime Minister Tony Abbott, (via video link); Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and newsreader Sharyn Ghidella, but it all began with Lady Lynne Cosgrove, wife of Governor General Peter Cosgrove, who read from her favourite book Possum Magic.
Lady Cosgrove said she loved reading especially to her children when they were young, and now she had a grandson she was rediscovering the joys of reading.
She encouraged the students to read more and read widely.
“Books are very important,” she said.
“They take us away to new places and new adventures, even if we are just curled up in our favourite reading spot.”
Other special guests included Julie McDonald, Commonwealth record holder for the 800m Freestyle for 21 years; Ironman Shannon Eckstein; Caine Eckstein, the only person to win the Coolangatta Gold Championships five times; Queensland Firebirds vice-captain Clare McMeniman; Brisbane Lions star Justin Clarke; Rod Stone, a seasoned aviation professional and Sandy Dawson, who represented Australia in Athletics at the Commonwealth Games.
They all read passages from their favourite books to the excited students who later read the books themselves.
Book Week is one of the high points on every school library’s calendar.
Across Australia every year, schools and public libraries spend a week celebrating books and their Australian authors and illustrators.
Organised by the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA), staff developed activities, offered competitions and told stories relating to a theme, which this year focused around “Books light Up Our World”.
During the weeklong celebrations students also participated in MADD (music, art, drama and dance) activities that focused on literacy through the arts.
They were mixed into groups with students from Prep to Year 6 working together throughout the whole of Book Week.
The week culminated with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk reading the story Annie’s Chair to students and staff dressed as their favourite character from a book. Ch
The result was a kaleidoscope of colour, texture and creativity amassed in a vibrant display.
By the end of the week the students discovered that no matter whom you are or what job you want to do in life you need to be able to read.
