BOOK WEEK AND THE MAGIC OF READING

August 21, 2024

If you have a child in primary school, you’ll know how excited they get about Book Week. Dressing up as a character from a favourite book, sharing stories and engaging with authors really does remind us that ‘Reading is magic’ – this year’s theme.

Therefore, it seems incongruous that the latest NAPLAN results indicate that “one in three West Aussie kids is not up to scratch on their reading, writing and numeracy skills…” (Reed the room… something isn’t write, 14 August 2024).

How is it that the enthusiasm so many young children have for books falls away, particularly as they enter high school? The problem is especially concerning for indigenous children and those from less educated parents, but also boys, who trail girls in four of the five NAPLAN assessment domains: grammar and punctuation, spelling, writing and reading (mathematics is the exception).

It’s easy to dismiss the literacy crisis as a consequence of increasing screentime and the busyness of our modern lives. However, it’s no small coincidence that these lifestyle factors contribute to the mental health epidemic, whereas reading has a known positive effect on wellbeing, giving the reader a break from the stresses of everyday life and an accessible gateway to mindfulness and, often, joy. Other documented benefits of reading include improved brain function, memory, empathy and sleep.

This is perhaps also a reminder for us parents to take the time to enjoy a good novel, both for our own wellbeing and to role model for our ever-watchful kids. Better yet, reading to our kids, even when they are old enough to read for themselves, is an excellent way to spend quality time together and bond over a shared story.

After all, we cannot let the obstacles to reading render us apathetic to ensuring young Australians are literate. Every subject and job require it.

Many schools and teachers are doing their best to enhance students’ reading and writing skills. Book Week is a wonderful opportunity for them to share the fun and cultural phenomena that come from literature, but one week cannot fix the growing problem. It will take a concerted effort from schools, families and government to make the time and space for reading.

Hale School is in the process of expanding its traditional library into an integrated literacy space to focus on engaging boys of all ages and stages in reading and writing. The newly created Centre for Writing is central to our efforts, and, yes, the enjoyment of physical books continues to be a focus. The centre will be home to boys looking to extend their skills and challenge themselves at a level higher than can be achieved within the prescribed curriculum, as well as to boys who need additional support to access key concepts and techniques in their core subjects. Centre for Writing initiatives so far this year have included creative writing, poetry and script writing programs, reading enrichment classes, book club, as well as workshops to bolster confidence and competence in ATAR English. Our students have also been able to engage with distinguished authors. We even have a published children’s author on staff.

When we integrate reading into our schools and homes, we equip young people with the essential tools to navigate the complexities of modern life. This is why it is so important to continue addressing the need for improved literacy, and to cultivate and celebrate reading and writing.

This Book Week let’s truly ponder and revel in the very real magic of reading!

Dean Dell’Oro, Headmaster, Hale School

As published in The West Australian newspaper, 20 August 2024.

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