Postie Brings Books Not Letters To Murupara Kids

June 11 2007

Postie Brings Books Not Letters To Murupara Kids

Children from Murupara School got an unusual visit today (Eds June 15) when New Zealand Post dropped by with a special gift.

New Zealand Post Rotorua Mail Centre delivery leader Connie Hori paid a flying visit to deliver free books to the school’s winners of the New Zealand Post Great Effort in Reading and Writing Awards.

The awards are presented each year to hundreds of children around New Zealand as part of New Zealand Post’s support of the Books in Homes programme.

Students from the school (population 268) gathered in the school hall to receive the books.

Connie Hori says this is definitely one of the most fun parts of the job for him.

“It’s so exciting to see young people engaged in reading. I hope these awards and the free books the winners receive will encourage their peers to excel in reading and writing too.”

Murupara School principal Mandy Bird says the youngsters really get excited about the books.

“Books in Homes is about encouraging our young students to engage in books and reading. These awards support this aim.

“Getting children engaged in reading at any age is the key.”

Last year 1300 books were presented to children from 454 schools throughout New Zealand. This year around 1500 children from 479 schools and 47 kindergartens will receive books. The books are gifts for the children to take home.

This year a new award is also being added to the programme as this is the first time kindergartens have taken part. The New Zealand Post Family Reading Award gives three books to a family whose child attends the pre-school to honour that child’s commitment to reading.

ENDS

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