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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-11-12 Daily Xml
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PREMIER'S BE ACTIVE AND READING CHALLENGES

Ms THOMPSON (Reynell) (14:27): My question is to the Minister for Education.

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for MacKillop will come to order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Members will come to order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The house will come to order!

Ms THOMPSON: Can the minister provide an update on this year's Premier's Be Active Challenge and Reading Challenge?

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH (Adelaide—Minister for Education, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:28): I thank the member for Reynell for her question. I know that she has been a great supporter of both the Premier's Reading Challenge and the Be Active Challenge. I know that she attends and speaks at all the award-winning ceremonies at the schools in her electorate and hands out the medals and certificates.

Over the last five years we have noted the astounding success of the Premier's Reading Challenge, which is now in its fifth year. We have noted massive participation, with 95 per cent of eligible schools involved in the challenge this year and 106,000 students having completed the challenge, an increase from 100,971 in 2007. Students from 752 schools completed the challenge in 2008; again, an increase from 2007.

In particular, 16 Aboriginal and APY lands schools had students who completed this year's challenge, which is an increase from 10 last year—something that we are very pleased about. An added incentive for children in remote areas was the addition of parcels of new and more exciting books for their libraries, which support their challenge attempts. We should congratulate them on their achievements.

As you know, students are participating for the First Year Achiever Certificate, and after that, bronze, silver and gold medals. This year, 25,500 students received certificates for first-year participation; 24,500 students received a bronze medal; 22,700, a silver; and 18,300, a gold medal. This is the first year that we added an additional category: the Champion. This year, over 15,000 students achieved this category. Next year, we will add the Legend medal, and following that the Hall of Fame medal for students who have continuously participated in this activity.

Again, we are holding a Premier's reception, this year on 24 November, so I remind all members that, if they have schools attending this reception because they have been high achievers, it would be a good time for them to visit this event as well.

We have had particular evidence that our challenge has helped those students who were previously struggling with literacy. It has encouraged them to read books and, anecdotally, both public libraries and school libraries have been inundated with borrowing requests.

Of course, this program has been supported by additional funds into our schools with our Early Years Literacy Program, our Accelerated Literacy Program and our attainment of the South Australian Strategic Plan targets for improved performance in literacy. In addition, the program is supported by 14 ambassadors who attend schools and promote this campaign.

I am particularly proud that this year (and it is appropriate that we mention this today) our first team ambassadorial selection has been made, and our first team of ambassadors will be Adelaide United. Like all members in the house, I am sure, I will be supporting and cheering them on this evening but, after tonight's game, they will be supporting young readers.

In addition, our Be Active challenge has been a great success, with reception to year 9 students involved in up to 60 minutes of activity a day. This year, I am pleased to inform the house that 23,500 students completed the challenge. That is three times more than last year. Last week, the Premier and I attended a Be Active challenge reception and had great pleasure in not only delivering those certificates but also being involved in delivering bundles of equipment for schools.

Eleven top South Australian sportspeople are our challenge ambassadors, and they will be promoting not just fitness but also a healthy lifestyle, with 202 schools sharing in more than $100,000 of one-off start-up grants of $500 per school to persist in their participation.

I think our Be Active challenges, led by the Premier, in both reading and fitness have been an extraordinary success. I commend them to members and encourage them to attend the ceremonies later in the year.

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