A TOOWOOMBA school has partnered with the Federal Government to improve students’ reading skills.
Holy Name Primary School has embarked on the innovative program. Principal Kathy Bliss said the program had been made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Government, parents and school staff.
“Due to the Federal Government’s National Partnerships program, we have been able to direct additional funds to provide our students with the latest resources available and to support our teachers in delivering proven teaching methods,” she said. “As a result, the children are reaping the benefits that reading competency brings.”
Ms Bliss said the National Partnerships funding came at a time when the Holy Name community was already working towards improving its students’ reading skills.
Holy Name Parents’ and Friends’ Association president Teresa Coleman said the school community had worked together to ensure every child had access to good quality books to practise their reading at school and at home.
“The Parents’ and Friends’ Association decided that donating funds, to help build up the school’s (book) collection was a great way to demonstrate to our own children that reading is important to us as parents,” she said.
Literacy coach Angela Ehmer was engaged to work alongside teachers and coach them towards establishing a consistent reading structure from Prep through to Year 7.
NAPLAN results from the Holy Name school are already reflecting an improvement from the joint reading approach.
