Jeremy Rockliff,Premier
No matter what you aspire to do or be, reading and literacy skills will help you get there.
This year's Premier's Reading challenge has officially launched, and I want to encourage all Tasmanian students to take up the challenge and read as often as possible during the 10 weeks.
The Challenge is a great way to encourage children to read regularly and, in turn, set them up for the lifelong benefits that reading brings.
This is the sixth year Hawthorn Football Club has been involved in the Challenge and they are to be commended for their commitment to connect with and encourage Tasmanian students to participate.
David Cox, Tasmanian State Manager for Hawthorn, said reading is one of those building blocks of life that's so important in enabling children to realise their full potential.
"Hawthorn is proud to shoulder some of the responsibility, and opportunity, to encourage and excite kids to take up reading. We've been part of this community for 22 years, and we take our role as an organisation that can help improve young Tasmanians' lives very seriously."
I encourage all Tasmanian students from Prep to Year 6 to take part in the challenge.
Parents can also get involved. Helping your child choose books, reading to them and listening to them read are great ways to connect with your child and also help them to develop a love of reading.
Plan a visit to your local library or go to www.libraries.tas.gov.au to experience the many free opportunities on offer – from books, stories, music, comics and magazines to help with reading, writing, maths and digital skills.
Students who complete the challenge will have the chance to win one of three $100 book prizes and participating schools can win one of three $500 prizes to buy library books.
There will also be a $100 prize for Home Educators to buy books for their home library.
The Premier's Reading Challenge runs from 2 May until 8 July.
