The Paint Parkes REaD committee has chosen, fittingly, an Olympic Games and Torch (Book) Relay theme for this year’s focus on spreading their important message.

That is, the vital importance to a child’s wellbeing to have parents read, sing, talk and rhyme to their baby, every day from birth.

All preschools, schools, daycare have been informed and invited to participate in various activities which will be held in August.

The success of last year’s theme, with tremendous community involvement, and the outstanding Community Reading Day with its carrier pigeons carrying K-2 students’ messages, greatly encouraged the committee for this year’s event.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

*Verse Speaking Competition across participating primary students.

*Torch/Book Relay around participating schools and preschools, running over 10 days. 

A book “torch” will be carried by senior students between each school, preschool, daycare, along footpaths. 

Each school/preschool is responsible for the arrival “ceremony” of the “flame”. 

The relay will conclude on Community Reading Day, Friday, August 12, at a ceremony in Cooke Park at 10am, after which K-2 students and preschoolers, anyone under five, community members may move to the activities in Cooke Park or Clarinda Street or float between the two.

*Baby Competition for under three year olds.

*Community Reading Day, August 12, will operate similarly to last year – innovative, engaging and full of a variety of games, competitions and happenings along the CBD. 

However, this year, a morning of fun activities will continue in Cooke Park at the same time as those along Clarinda Street.

* Nursery Rhymes with Olympic “modifications”.

COSTUMES FOR READING DAY: Everyone is asked to wear something that is a colour of the Olympic rings..or all five! (blue,yellow,black, green, Red on a white background).

Stay tuned for further news, and remember: Feed your baby’s brain so it will grow...read, sing, talk, rhyme.