Book the time

Schools around both the country and the region took a bit of extra reading time last week to mark Australian Reading Hour.

Designed as a way to celebrate and promote reading for pleasure, the day encouraged people of all walks of life to ‘stop what they were doing for one hour and pick up a book’.

Dardanup Primary School principal Darryl Owen said reading hour at his school was an extension of students’ regular 20 minute quiet reading time immediately after lunch.

“We will continue to support this initiative,” he said.

“Dardanup Primary students are avid readers and participate in the Accelerated Reading Program, where they gain points through reading books appropriate to their level.”

Things were a little different at South Bunbury Primary School where staff and students celebrated all times of the day that people read and kept watch on the total time people read.

Teacher Tamara Bromley was responsible for getting the school onboard with the event which included parents coming in to read with the students.

“Reading is 68 per cent better than having a cup of coffee or going for a walk in terms of relaxing,” she said.

“In this busy world, to stop and read for an hour is really good for your mental health as well as your mental health, your learning and having adventures.”

Gina Taylor was one of many parents to come in and read to their children on the day and said it was great to be able to interact with the students as part of such a good idea.