Rodney readers rise to the challenge

MEDIA RELEASE
Orewa, 26 June 2006.

Rodney readers rise to the challenge

The Mayor’s annual reading challenge has prompted the most Rodney school children yet to read for half an hour a day in May.

680 children from 33 schools throughout the district and 31 home-schooled children participated in the challenge, nearly 200 more than when it first started two years ago.

To enter the challenge, each child had to read for at least half an hour every day in May, and those who visited a Rodney library twice were entitled to a bonus entry, giving them double the chance of winning prizes.

Rodney District Council’s Mayor, Mr John Law, says he is delighted the challenge is encouraging more of the district’s children to read.

He says that there appears to be a “massive resurgence” in childhood reading, fuelled in part by the popularity of books such as the Harry Potter series.

“And here we have a record number for the Mayor’s Challenge. You have to say books are back. Big time!”š the mayor said.

This year’s winners are:

1st place: Ceonne Phyllis Avery (8) from Stella Maris School wins a new bike
2nd place: Michel De Coito (9) from Parakai School wins CD micro-system
3rd place: Amy Woomack (6) from Orewa North School wins a CD radio cassette recorder.

Rodney’s Children’s Librarian, Tina Collins, says the response this year has exceeded expectations.

“The district’s schools have really come on board this year, and over 250 children visited a Rodney library as part of the challenge,” she says.

The Mayor’s Reading Challenge is supported by Rodney Libraries, FreeRide’n’ Huapai, The Warehouse Snells Beach, the Whangaparaoa and Orewa Lions clubs and the Rotary Club of Warkworth.

ENDS

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