‘Books an integral part of society’
YESTERDAY marked the 15th year of the National Simultaneous Storytime, the national literacy campaign that encourages children across the country to enjoy and improve their reading.
Glennie Heights State School Principal Paul O'Mara is a supporter of the program which he said assisted the students by showing "different personalities promoting a love of books".
"Part of society is being a good reader," Mr O'Mara said. "It's about having a balanced education for the students," he said.
With about 160 students Glennie Heights State School is one of the smallest state primary schools in the area but are determined to promote both literacy's NSS program and music with the "Count Us In" initiative.
This year, Glennie Heights State School students had the added encouragement of Queensland Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg for the reading campaign run by the Australian Library and Information Association.
Leaving parliament behind for the quieter prospects of a classroom, Mr Springborg made an appearance in Shirley Dryer's Year 6 class to read "The Brothers Quibble" by Aaron Blabey.
Mr Springborg compared the book's message of accepting change to books he read growing up such as Charlotte's Web.
Mr O'Mara considered having community leaders come and address the students to help reinforce the message from teachers about the importance of reading and literacy.
