ESL students participate in Premier’s Reading Challenge at Holy Family Primary

Year 3 student Vernessa Yi enjoying a good book

Year 1 students Jasmine Achi and Anneka Argent are participating in the Premier's Reading Challange

Holy Family Primary, East Granville are thrilled to have over 100 students participating in the Premier’s Reading Challenge this year, with over 94 per cent of students in the school from a non English speaking background. 

Holy Family Primary has been participating in the Premier's Reading Challenge since 2006 and the number of students participating has doubled each year since 2008.

Throughout the year, the school encourages reading among students by having popular children’s authors visit the school.

Deborah Abela has been one of Holy Family’s authors in residence for the last two years. Deborah has been running workshops with students in Years 3 to 6.

Holy Family Primary principal, Sue Guilfoyle, said the challenge has been a great way to engage students in reading and developing their literacy, especially with students from non-English speaking backgrounds.  

‘It is a joy to see our children engaging with a variety of books through the Premier's Reading Challenge, especially with many of our children not having had a rich English literature experience prior to coming to school,’ said Sue. ‘So for them to participate in the challenge shows how important reading is in developing essential literacy skills.’

‘Our families want their children to achieve the very best,’ she said. ‘Even the parents are lined up at the library door waiting to find out about how to register – now that's commitment!’

Participating students receive a certificate and are recognised for their achievements in the challenge at an end of year awards ceremony.

Year 3 student Peter Elters loves reading a good book!

Vernessa and Year 1 student George Gebrael can't wait to read all the books during the Challenege

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