Riverstone Public School needs your help to restore much-loved library ravaged by rats and water
RATS and water may have destroyed a large selection of books at Riverstone Public School’s library but not the love for reading.
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RATS and water may have destroyed a large selection of books at Riverstone Public School’s library but not the love for reading.
Librarian Ros Graham said their students at the school cannot have enough of books while the lack of it has hampered their efforts in competing in the Premier’s reading Challenge.
“Anytime we add new books to our collection they fly off the shelves,” said Ms Graham, pointing out that with so much housing development in Riverstone, the library resources will be stretched further.
“Our students are hungry for new non fiction books and resources for the Premier’s Reading Challenge.”
However, they could soon have more than enough books in a new-look library, thanks to a unique fundraising campaign, backed by Dymocks Children’s Charities’ Library Renegeration program.
The school wants to raise a minimum of $10,000 towards the worthy campaign with Dymocks saying it will match each dollar raised over $5000.
“Having books and literature in the lives of young children is an invaluable lifelong learning asset,” principal Kylie Becker said.
“Without a strong sense of literacy knowledge and understanding, the traditions and stories of our world and imagination is lost.
“Dymocks supporting our school in this community project will help to create an injection of literature that otherwise would take years to replenish.
“We are unable to support the gaps in the library resourcing and moving into the future of teaching and learning at Riverstone Public School, we need to have our resources in the best possible condition and stock.”
Riverstone Public School has raised more than $1500.
Student Hayley Sawtell said: “If we didn’t do the program, students would have to wait for such a long time to get books into the library and we mightn’t learn as fast as we should.”
For Evie Zarka, it’s all about more books on birds: “I like reading how the birds got their colours and I would like more books about birds in the library.”
Jake Sawtell, Max Clarke and Callum Zarka said the more books the better for them.
“If the community can raise $4,000 in the next two weeks, our library will benefit from $10,000 in new books,” Mrs Graham said.
“If we can raise another $9,000, it becomes $20,000.”
A Dymocks spokeswoman said the campaign is important because literacy skills in NSW students have not improved.
“The preliminary NAPLAN results show that literacy skills in NSW students have plateaued,” she said.
“Understandably parents and educators are concerned by these results.
“But what can be done? Research shows that access to good quality books that students choose themselves is the key to developing children’s reading skills.”
The campaign ends on September 2.
To help: http://bit.ly/2bkmQPg
Fact box:
■ Riverstone Public School has 243 students and a dedicated support unit for students with autism and mild to moderate intellectual disabilities
■ A further 80 students are enrolled in preschool classes.
■ In view of the extensive housing development in the Riverstone and neighbouring suburbs, the school said its limited library resources will be further stretched
■ The campaign ends on September 2.
■ To help: Visit: http://bit.ly/2bkmQPg
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