For over 26 years, Mountain Creek State School has offered a unique reading program called Support-a-Reader, which fosters a love for reading in young children.
This heartwarming initiative pairs the school’s youngest students with dedicated volunteers for one-on-one reading sessions. This is a valuable complement to classroom learning.
“We have teams of volunteers who come to school for two hours each morning to do one-on-one reading with Year 1 to 3 children,“ says Deputy Principal at Mountain Creek State School, Helen Denning. “It’s something truly special.”
The program relies on a dedicated group of volunteers. These individuals come from diverse backgrounds, some even retired teachers like the program’s oldest volunteer, who is well into her 90s!
“It takes a team of 40 community volunteers to run our valuable reading program,“ Helen explains. “Fifty students come into our classroom for a 15-minute reading session every school day where they read one-on-one with a trained volunteer.”
Student at Mountain Creek State School reading with volunteer in the Support-a-Reader Program
A reading program that connects a community
These sessions are more than just reading aloud. The volunteers guide students through reading strategies, fostering fluency and comprehension skills that benefit them across all subjects. Perhaps the program’s most heartwarming aspect is the bond between volunteers and students.
“Some volunteers come twice a week, some come just once a week. We find that the volunteers fall in love with their little gang of kids more often than not,” Helen says.
The program prioritises students in Years 1 to 3, allowing them to benefit from this personalised attention during a crucial stage in their reading development. As students gain confidence and skills, they transition out, making space for others to participate.
The impact extends beyond the students. Volunteers themselves find immense satisfaction in giving back to the community.
“The volunteers love it and see its value because they understand how important it is that children are literate. So they’re giving back,” Helen adds.
With its dedicated volunteers and positive impact, Support-a-Reader continues to be a shining example of how community involvement can nurture young minds.
Mountain Creek State School welcomes anyone interested in volunteering. If you are passionate about reading and want to make a difference, consider joining this rewarding program.
