27 Jul 2015
On Friday 19th June, taree Public School had our very first Book Giving Assembly as part of the 'Books in Homes' program. Each child recieved three quality books, for free, thanks to our sponsors The Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.
Our special guests at the assembly were Mr Jason Bourke, CEO of The Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, Vanessa and Craig representing the Taree branch of The Newcastle Permanent Building Society, and Mr Stephen Michael King who is an author and illustartor of many children's books.
Mr King spoke to the assembly about how he remembered that his parents always read great books to him when he was a child. And then..... he read his new book 'My Dad is a Giraffe'. This book had not been seen by anyone else as it was just being published. We were the first children in the world to see this book and hear the story! How Exciting! But thats not all! Then, he drew a picture from the book! His drawing skills are amazing and everyone was mesmerised as they watched him draw two circles and then turn them into a Giraffe. There was total silence in the hall the entire time and everyone watched in awe as the marks that he put on the page were transformed into an illustration of the characters from the book. WOW! The finished piece will be framed and hung in the school.
Mr Bourke spoke about the importance of reading and he encouraged the children to take the books home and add them to, or start, their personal library. The books were then handed out by Mr Bourke, vanessa and Craig. There was alot of excitment. It has been six weeks since the children chose their books and to actually finally recieve them was a bit like christmas! All of the children picked their favourite book and held it up for everyone to see. There were big smiles all around!
Congratulations to our leaders who ran the assembly in a very professional and polished manner, to Serge Morcome, who performed the Acknowledgement of Country for the first time and did a fantastic job, and to all of our students, who displayed the best manners that I have ever seen. Well Done!
Our next Books in Homes order and assembly will be in Term Four.
Di Murray