Books, Reading and Swimming Goals!

What better way to begin the 'learning week' than sitting with others who like to read, get lost in a book, enjoy the wonder of words and imagine different places, time and characters through stories. This is exactly what our Prep and Year 7 students did today. The cross-age reading program has been built over the year and is now fully in swing with learning and reading goals underpinning the program for both groups of students. Importantly, our students have experienced not only literary growth but also gained new friendships, built social capital and connectedness across our college enabling them to authentically demonstrate what it means to contribute to our inclusive college community.

This is a natural segue into Book Week 17 - 23 August which is celebrated across the country promoting the theme of Reading is my Super Power! The Children's Book Council Of Australia (CBCA) promotes this annually celebrated week bringing together, children and books. It is a time where schools, libraries, booksellers, authors, illustrators and children celebrate Australian children's literature. To celebrate Book Week at Featherbrook we have a library display of some of the shortlisted CBCA books; we will host author Davina Bell and will also hold a Book Week character parade. Reading is central to our learning programs across all curriculum areas and so it stands to reason that we take this opportunity to further build and highlight our focus on reading and the love of books. Follow the link below for more information on the work of the CBCA.

https://cbca.org.au/news/cbca-book-week-2019

Year 1 students began their week - long intensive swimming and water safety program today. Mobilising approximately 130 students is no mean fete and the students and teachers are to be congratulated for ensuring orderliness so that buses shuttling students backwards and forwards between the school and pool remained on schedule. Thank you to all parents who prepared their children too, ensuring swimming gear was packed. I happened to step into a Year 1 learning space just as the students were sharing their swimming goals. I was most impressed when I heard goals shared such as: walk only around the pool, don't run; listen to the swimming teacher's instructions; be responsible for your own belongings just to mention a few. The children had selected a goal and had illustrated it ready to be referred to throughout the week as they build their water safety skills. I have no doubt a very enjoyable week is in stall for our young swimmers.