Young Victorians across Cardinia and Casey read up a storm this year as part of the seventeenth annual Premiers’ Reading Challenge.
Despite the numerous lockdowns, hundreds of local kids were among over 71,000 young Victorians who explored exciting new worlds and built their literacy skills this year as part of the challenge.
Victorian kids aged from pre-school to Year 10 collectively made their way through more than 2.8 million books between March and September for the challenge, which this year celebrated the theme ‘Open Up a New World’.
The annual challenge encourages enthusiastic readers across households, early childhood centres and schools to read a set number of books – including picture books, short stories, poems or non-fiction books –and record their efforts online.
The challenge sets kids a goal of 40 books for children below school age with their parents or carers, 30 books for Prep to Year 2 students with or without assistance, and 15 books for students in Years 3 to 10.
Of this year’s 71,342 participants, 8,315 readers were below school age – encouraging a love of books and stories in Victorian kids from a young age.
More than 12,000 books were listed on the Premiers’ Reading Challenge booklist for each age group to choose from, with titles curated by an expert panel including teachers and librarians.
The annual challenge receives support from the state government’s Premiers’ Reading Challenge book fund to help meet the extra demand for books.
An extra investment of $1.1 million will ensure all children have access to the listed books.
Casey Cardinia Library Corp will receive $59,960 so they can buy the materials they need to support the 2022 Challenge.
More than 3.5 million young people have read more than 54 million books since the challenge began in 2005.
Each participant who meets the challenge receives a certificate of achievement signed by all premiers since 1992 – celebrating Victorian Governments’ decades-long commitment to literacy and a love of reading.
The Minister for Education James Merlino said that it was fantastic to see so many Victorian kids take up the challenge this year.
“Reading not only fosters a lifelong love of learning, but helps kids build important literacy skills that will remain with them for life – a huge congratulations to every Victorian child who has picked up a book or 40 this year!” Mr Merlino said.
“I also want to congratulate every parent and carer who has supported their child’s learning and love of reading as part of this challenge – each word, page and chapter will go a long way in their education journey.”
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale echoed Mr Merlino’s sentiments and said it was great to see so many local kids getting involved.
“Well done to every kid in Bass who has completed the Premiers’ Reading Challenge this year – I hope you had a great time exploring new worlds and improving your reading along the way.”
