September 5, 2014
Illawarra students celebrate International Literacy Day
Undergraduate students from UOW will visit local Illawarra primary schools and early childhood centres next week in celebration of International Literacy Day on Monday 8 September.
More than 280 UOW Bachelor of Primary and Bachelor of Early Years students will visit eight local schools and three local preschools affiliated with UOW and the South Coast branch of the Australian Literacy Educators' Association, including The Illawarra Grammar School, Appin Public School, St Francis of Assisi Catholic School at Warrawong and Bulli Community Preschool.
Associate Professor Lisa Kervin, from UOW’s School of Education, said in preparation for their field visit, UOW students have authored their own text, to tell a story, perform poetry or share a digital text with the children.
Professor Kervin is also the NSW Director of the Australian Literacy Educators' Association. It is estimated that said that 7.3 million Australians – almost half the adult population – have problems with literacy, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
“Literacy is essential to every facet of modern life – from holding down a job to balancing the household budget. It is the ultimate investment in the future.”
With this year’s NAPLAN results showing writing literacy rates are in decline, Professor Kervin said it is crucial that educators are engaging children in meaningful reading and writing opportunities from a young age.
“As parents and teachers, it is critical that we give our students opportunities to write for a real purpose and for a real audience. My UOW students have spent weeks preparing a text to share with children. They have had feedback from staff working in the subject and from their peers, but many have expressed their excitement and nervousness about the response they will receive from children.”
UNESCO’s International Literacy Day (8 September) celebrates literacy achievements and successes, while simultaneously highlighting literacy issues and challenges globally.
Schools involved: Minnamurra Public School, St Francis Assisi at Warrawong, St Patrick's at Port Kembla, The Illawarra Grammar School, St Joseph's at Bulli, Appin Public School, St Andrews Public School and St Anthony's at Picton.
Preschools involved: Kids Uni North, Thirroul Montessori PreSchool and Bulli Community Pre-School.
Photo/interview opportunities: Associate Professor Kervin will be preparing a group of students to share their text on UOW campus from 9.30am on Monday 8 September. She will be at the following schools at the following times:
- 9.30am Wednesday 10 September - St Anthony’s Picton
- 1pm Wednesday 10 September - Appin Public School
- 9am Thursday 11 September - St Francis Assisi , Warrawong
Media contact: Associate Professor Lisa Kervin, +61 422 114 164.