Findochty Primary kids claim reading contest commendation honour
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THE lockdown was not to prove a barrier to Findochty Primary kids continuing their winning streak.
The latest trophy for the cabinet is a highly commended from no less a contest than the First Minister's Reading Challenge 2019-2020, the award coming in the School Reading Journey category.
Despite the school year being disrupted by lockdown, Findochty along with other schools the length and breadth of the country still submitted their challenge, showcasing the excellent work achieved by their pupils and staff.
The winners were announced online by Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing.
Findochty's certificate citation read: The school has been building a strong culture of reading for pleasure for a few years now, but have really gone the extra mile recently with Reading Dogs sessions to help raise pupil confidence in reading aloud, their Findochty Reads campaign, with the hidden books creating a great buzz in the community and a great Reading Ambassador programme to give senior pupils a leading role in where their reading journey takes them next."
One of those delighted with the news was the school's headteacher Dawn Thomson.
“I am really proud of the efforts of everyone within my school," she said.
"We have worked really hard at establishing and maintaining a reading culture not only within our school but within the wider community, too.
"During these unprecedented times, our children have used reading as a way of relieving the uncertainty: it allows them to use their imagination to take them off to a different place in time.
"I have seen our children blossom becoming successful learners, responsible citizens, effective contributors and confident individuals.”
Prior to the school closing in March as part of measures design to combat the spread of Covid-19, Findochty pupils had already enjoy victory in challenges both in the classroom and on the sports field.
Congratulating all the winners and commended, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Inspiring our young people to read for pleasure can help to improve literacy and mental health and increase creativity – that is why I launched the First Minister’s Reading Challenge.
“It is great to see so many young people discover their own love of reading but also help to bring that passion and inspiration to their friends, families, schools and local communities.
“I want schools across Scotland to sign up to the challenge when it launches in August so that we can keep sharing the joy of reading for generations to come.”
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, added: “It was fantastic to receive so many submissions to the First Minister’s Reading Challenge despite the restrictions of lockdown.
"Pupils, parents, and teachers have come together to celebrate books and develop a reading culture within their schools and local communities. Although we cannot celebrate together in person this year, we hope the pupils are immensely proud of their achievements.”
Now in its fourth year, the challenge encourages children to read for pleasure and develop a life-long love of books. The awards recognise the efforts of schools and pupils to support reading for enjoyment and create a reading culture in their school, home or community.
All those who submitted this year will receive book tokens, with the winners also receiving a trophy. The national winners of the School Reading Journey Award, Reading Inspiration Award and GME Reading Journey will also receive funding for an author event from Scottish Book Trust.
The First Minister's Reading Challenge was launched in 2016 for P4-7 youngsters and expanded to include all primary and secondary schools as well as libraries and community groups in its third year. Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, delivers this exciting reading initiative on behalf of the Scottish Government and every school in Scotland is invited to take part.
With the school now back for a new term, the pupils have had an opportunity to admire their new silverware.
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