Parents and guardians
A letter from the Premier
February 2010
Dear Parent/Guardian
I am pleased to declare the sixth Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge open, and I invite your child to participate in what has proved to be an increasingly popular event.
The Challenge promotes the importance of reading among students in Victorian schools and encourages parents and families to support their children’s reading in and beyond school. It is not a competitive event but rather one that emphasises individual challenge and participation.
Last year student participation reached an all-time high with over 212,000 students reading over 3.8 million books. This year I hope that many of our 2009 Challengers will again be inspired to join the event and, in turn, inspire others in their family, class or school to participate.
For the 2010 Challenge, students will set their own reading targets (to be achieved over three school terms) by reference to the targets set for their year level. (The targets for each year level can be found on the Challenge website at www.education.vic.gov.au/prc/.) The Challenge website also provides comprehensive information about key dates, as well as answers to frequently asked questions by parents and students, guidelines for schools and, of course, the 2010 Challenge book list.
Also returning in 2010 are the Challenge Ambassadors. These well-known authors and illustrators, many of whom have books on the Challenge book list, will again be visiting schools around the State helping to promote the power of reading. I am delighted to announce that one of the Challenge Ambassadors will design the certificate issued to all students who reach their reading target. More details about the collector’s edition certificate will be revealed in coming months.
This year I would like to encourage students to write reviews of their favourite books. The Age newspaper is giving students the opportunity to submit book reviews online. Selected reviews will be published online and in special lift-outs in The Age throughout the year.
The Challenge and its related activities help Victorian students improve their reading and develop a lifelong interest in reading. I look forward to continuing to work with you in supporting your child make the most of these opportunities.
Yours sincerely
HON JOHN BRUMBY MP
Premier of Victoria
Premier's letter
The letter from the Premier inviting participation in the 2010 Challenge will be available for download here very shortly. You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files.
The letter will also be available in portable document format in the following languages: Arabic; Chinese; Dari; Kymer; Turkish; and Vietnamese.
Consent form (for school based students)
Consent is required for a student to participate in the Challenge.
Parents must sign Section 1 of the Consent form (Word - 33Kb) to allow their children to participate in the Challenge.
Parents must sign Section 2 of the Consent form (Word - 33Kb) for the names of successful Challengers to be published in the Premier's Reading Challenge Achievers Honour Roll.
The consent form will also be available in portable document format in the following languages: Arabic; Chinese; Dari; Kymer; Turkish; and Vietnamese.
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 should download the registration and consent form (Word - 36Kb) and return it by mail to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. Registrations close on 25 June 2010.
Choosing books for children
Booklets providing suggestions for books for children in the Early Years and Middle Years of schooling are available for download.
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