20/9/04
A range of programs aimed at stimulating children's interest in reading has put 20 State primary schools in the running to be the Premier's Reading School of the Year 2004.
Education and Training Minister Alan Carpenter today announced the names of the nominated schools, which are competing for the opportunity to win $5,000 in reading resources.
"The commitment of our State school teachers, the support of parents and the community and partnerships with universities and high schools, have assisted these schools to develop creative and imaginative ways to improve students' reading proficiency," Mr Carpenter said.
"The nominated schools include Chapman Valley Primary School in the Mid-West town of Nabawa, which has just 33 students in two classes, and Atwell Primary School in Perth's southern suburbs with more than 900 students.
"However, it is not size which matters - what is important is how the school has identified the unique needs of its students and then subsequently developed programs and strategies to meet those needs.
"Initiatives include e-pals where students send emails across the world, breakfast clubs, workshops for parents, peer tutoring, home-school link programs, specialist teachers and a Bears Club - BE A Reading Sensation!"
The Minister said one group of parents had even undertaken professional development workshops to improve tutoring skills.
"It is pleasing to see local communities supporting their school to help students with reading, one of the most important skills needed in developing young children," he said.
"District directors from the Department of Education and Training each nominated a school which they considered as having made significant improvements in students' reading.
"Judging will take into account a range of measures including the teaching and learning program conducted to improve students' reading outcomes, surveys of students' reading participation, the rate of borrowing books from the library and Western Australian Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (WALNA) results."
The 20 schools nominated were:
Atwell Primary School, Atwell
Bambara Primary School, Padbury
Chapman Valley Primary School, Nabawa
Clarkson Primary School, Clarkson
East Maddington Primary School, Maddington
Greenmount Primary School, Greenmount
Halls Creek District High School, Halls Creek
Hawker Park Primary School, Warwick
Mandurah Primary School, Mandurah
Margaret River Primary School, Margaret River
Narrogin Primary School, Narrogin
North Parmelia Primary School, Parmelia
Nulsen Primary School, Esperance
O'Connor Primary School, Kalgoorlie
Ranford Primary School, Canning Vale
Spencer Park Primary School, Albany
Warriapendi Primary School, Balga
Westminster Primary School, Westminster
White Gum Valley Primary School, White Gum Valley
Wongan Hills District High School, Wongan Hills.
Minister's office: 9213 6800
