Book Week is a celebration of stories, imagination and creativity, but helping children love reading isn't just something that happens during one week of the year. The good news? It doesn't take expensive resources or hours of extra time. Often, it's the small, recurring habits that make the biggest difference.
1. Let them see you read
Children are more likely to value reading when they see the adults around them enjoying it too. Whether it's a novel, magazine, recipe or newspaper, showing that reading is part of everyday life helps build positive attitudes towards books.
2. Read together, even after they've learnt to read
Many parents stop reading aloud once their child becomes an independent reader, but shared reading continues to support vocabulary, comprehension and a love of storytelling well into the primary years. It also creates moments to connect and talk about ideas.
3. Give children the freedom to choose
Not every child will be drawn to classic novels, and that's okay! Graphic novels, comics, fact books and magazines all count. When children can explore topics they're genuinely interested in, reading becomes something they want to do rather than something they have to do.
4. Make reading part of everyday life
Ten or fifteen minutes before bed or reading together after school helps establish reading as a regular habit. Consistency matters more than long sessions.
5. Talk about stories
Asking simple questions like "What surprised you?" or "Who was your favourite character?" encourages children to think more deeply about what they've read. These conversations also help develop confidence and comprehension.
6. Celebrate curiosity, not perfection
Children don't need to finish every book they start or read at the same level as their peers. The goal is to nurture confidence and enjoyment. When reading feels positive, children are more likely to keep coming back to it.
Wondering how schools help children become confident readers?
At Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD), engaging literacy experiences, dedicated teachers and well-resourced libraries help students build the skills and confidence to thrive as readers and learners.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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14 Sep 2026
From Facebook
REMINDER - MISSION MARKET THIS WEDNESDAY! ๐ Our Year 6 students are ready and excited for Mission Market this Wednesday! Donโt forget to jump onto the QKR! app and purchase your childโs Mission Market tokens so they can enjoy the stalls, games, activities and treats on the day. ๐๏ธ Every purchase helps support our Year 6 students in putting their faith into action, with funds raised supporting CatholicCare. โค๏ธ ๐ฑ Purchase tokens via QKR! ๐ Mission Market โ Wednesday Thank you for getting behind our Year 6 students and helping make Mission Market a wonderful day for our whole school community! ๐
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28 Sep 2026
Celebrating 40 years of Voice of Youth and the power of student voice
Six Year 6 students from 58 Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) Primary schools came together at St John XXIII Catholic College Stanhope Gardens on 22 September for the Voice of Youth Grand Final, showcasing their public speaking skills through a series of thoughtful and engaging speeches.
14 Sep 2026
From Facebook
REMINDER - MISSION MARKET THIS WEDNESDAY! ๐ Our Year 6 students are ready and excited for Mission Market this Wednesday! Donโt forget to jump onto the QKR! app and purchase your childโs Mission Market tokens so they can enjoy the stalls, games, activities and treats on the day. ๐๏ธ Every purchase helps support our Year 6 students in putting their faith into action, with funds raised supporting CatholicCare. โค๏ธ ๐ฑ Purchase tokens via QKR! ๐ Mission Market โ Wednesday Thank you for getting behind our Year 6 students and helping make Mission Market a wonderful day for our whole school community! ๐
13 Sep 2026
From Facebook
๐ Mission Market is THIS WEDNESDAY! ๐ Our Year 6 students have been working so hard behind the scenes, planning and preparing their stalls ready for Mission Market this Wednesday! ๐ Donโt forget to log into the Qkr! app and purchase your Mission Market tokens so your child can join in the fun on the day. ๐๏ธ Every game played, treat purchased and stall visited helps our Year 6 students with their mission to put their faith into action and raise funds for CatholicCare.
07 Sep 2026
From Facebook
๐ Teacher Aide Appreciation Week ๐ This week, we celebrate and give a huge thank you to our incredible Teacher Aides! Our Teacher Aides are such an important part of our school community. From supporting students in the classroom, to helping with learning, encouraging independence, offering a listening ear and bringing a little extra care to each day. The difference they make is truly invaluable. Thank you for being such an important part of our team and for making a difference in the lives of our students every single day!
30 Aug 2026
From Facebook
Our Kindergarten teachers embraced the Book Week celebrations by dressing up each day to surprise the students of St Madeleineโs. We are not sure who enjoyed this more, the teachers or the students? ๐๐ค ๐พ๐๐๏ธ๐ญ
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From Facebook
It was a full house with the back doors open for our Grandparents day Liturgy and Book Character parade. What a wonderful day celebrating together and ending a fun filled book week for 2026 ๐
28 Aug 2026
From Facebook
๐ต๐โญ We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams ๐ต๐โญ
28 Aug 2026
Our schools are cracking the reading code
Do you remember how you learned to read? For a vital skill that is linked to all other learning, itโs surprisingly difficult to explain how to go about learning it.
20 Aug 2026
Six Habits That Help Children Develop a Love of Reading
Book Week is a celebration of stories, imagination and creativity, but helping children love reading isn't just something that happens during one week of the year. The good news? It doesn't take expensive resources or hours of extra time. Often, it's the small, everyday habits that make the biggest difference.