Parents and guardians
The current and past premiers proudly support this important literacy initiative and invite you and your children to participate in the ninth annual Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge.
Since 2005, the Challenge has promoted the importance of reading among students in Victorian schools and encouraged families and parents to be more involved with supporting children’s reading in and beyond school. In 2013, young children and their parents are also encouraged to join in the magic of discovering books through the Challenge.
Parents with children who are new to the Challenge will soon find out that this challenge provides an easy and fun way for children and young people to record their reading as they try to reach the set reading targets.
Those parents with children who have participated in previous Challenges will know that, apart from the intrinsic rewards reading provides, there are certificates of achievement for those learners who reach their reading targets. Last year over 118,000 students received certificates.
Also returning in 2013 are the Challenge Ambassadors. These well-known authors, illustrators and children’s entertainers will again visit schools and early childhood services around the State to promote reading.
This year the Challenge book lists have been expanded. Search these with your children to find much-loved treasures as well as new releases. There are thousands of books from which to choose, with fiction, non-fiction, plays, poetry, short stories and graphic novels all on offer. The Challenge is not just about reading in English. In fact, the Challenge is open to reading in any language.
Children in early childhood (from birth to the year prior to school)
Parents or guardians of young children can register their children for the Challenge online. Young children can also be registered by participating early childhood services. Click here to register young children in early childhood for the Challenge.
Home-schooled students and home-based readers
A student who is home-schooled or whose school is not participating in the Challenge may register as a home-based reader. Parents can download the home-based reader registration and consent form (Word - 51Kb) and return it by mail to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
The Challenge Book Lists
The Challenge book lists have been developed by a Reference Group of experienced teacher-librarians and experts in children’s literature, and are therefore extensive and diverse. The Challenge book lists include books which exemplify quality in literature for children and young adults as well as books which engage students in voluntary reading.
The inclusion of a book on the list does not mean it is a recommended text for all students. The book list provides a broad range of books from which children and young people, parents and teachers can choose appropriate reading material . If you have any concerns about the content of titles on the Challenge book lists we encourage you to become involved in the selection of books your child reads for the Challenge to ensure they are appropriate.
Former Premiers get involved