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Year 7 and 8 Wide Reading Program

In exciting news for both the Library and English departments, 2022 will see the launch of a wide reading program in Years 7 and 8. Following the expansion of the library space at the end of 2019, the timetable has been shaped to allow classes from both Primary and Secondary to have dedicated sessions in the library each fortnight. Additionally, the acquisition of many new titles into the program means that there is significant choice for students.

Reading is such an important skill for students in terms of academic success, wellbeing and creativity yet it is often one of the first casualties when student life becomes a little more complicated. By factoring in wide reading into our English program, including a small component in the semester’s assessment, we are acknowledging its significance in the English curriculum.

Further to this, several ideas are being developed to help launch this program in 2022. These include writing competitions and reading challenges. There is an abundance of statistical research concluding that reading-for-pleasure is the leading indicator in achievement for comprehension, vocabulary, spelling and writing. Students will be developing wide reading strategies such as exploring different genres and forms, as well as finding and following authors.

“We are thrilled to launch this program,” said Siana Einfeld, Teacher Librarian, “as reading widely enables students to understand multiple different perspectives and situations and helps expand their ideas, to think in different ways and reflect more deeply.”

When students engage with books of their choice, they are employing a myriad of high-level strategies as they read. This gives learners a head-start for achieving optimal outcomes across the entire educational frame.

Clive Parkin - Head of Learning - English (Secondary)