Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman
Minister for Education, Training and Employment
The Honourable John-Paul Langbroek
02/05/2012
Premier and Education Minister launch reading challenge
Premier Campbell Newman today launched the 2012 Premier’s Reading Challenge on the Gold Coast, encouraging more Queensland primary students to open a book.
Mr Newman said with 2012 being the National Year of Reading, the Government would like to see even more children getting involved in the reading challenge.
“Last year more than 78,000 students completed the challenge and read more than one million books and this is a great chance for students, parents and teachers to share a commitment to reading more in schools and at home.” Mr Newman said.
“Reading opens up a world of educational opportunities for our students, providing the foundation for learning for the rest of their life.”
The challenge is for every state and non-state school student from Prep to Year 2 to read or experience 20 books, Years 3 and 4 to read 20 books and Years 5 to 7 to read 15 books between 22 May and 7 September 2012.
The Premier was joined by John-Paul Langbroek, the Minister for Education, Training and Employment who lists political biographies including former Queensland Premier from 1929-32 ‘AE Moore, The Premier from Brymaroo’ and Time magazine as his current favourites.
“We know that reading is the key to learning and last year, the first full group of Prep students was in Year 3 and these students posted the state’s strongest results for this year level since the test began in 2008,” Mr Langbroek said.
“Reading has advanced at every test year level of NAPLAN – years three, five, seven and nine, and programs like the Premier’s reading challenge will continue to increase our literacy results.
“Last year Queensland recorded the second largest number of significant improvements in NAPLAN tests and I’m really keen to see that trend continue.
“I encourage all Queensland kids to register on the challenge website by Friday 8 June 2012. Happy reading!”
