FROM left Coleen Strahan, literacy convenor for Altrusa Club of Te Kūiti, and speaker Helen Tutty stand with the children from district schools who received literacy prizes this month. PHOTO / SUPPLIED
AS it has for several years, the Altrusa Club of Te Kūiti this year organised a “Rocket into Reading Programme”, in which every five-year-old in the district received a book to keep. The books have been delivered twice a year to new entrants at Te Kūiti, plus Rangitoto, Aria and Piopio Primary Schools twice a year, the group’s literacy convenor Colleen Strahan said. “A Year 9 is also chosen from three local high schools to receive a book token at the end of the year,” Colleen said. “These students must have shown good progress in literacy during the year. And as well as these two programmes, the Te Kūiti Altrusa Club presents a book to students chosen by teachers in each of the primary schools in the Te Kuiti, Piopio, Aria areas. “These students, from Years’ 5 to 8, have shown particular interest and progress in literacy. They choose their own books from PaperPlus in Te Kūiti, which are kindly wrapped for them by the ladies who work there,” Colleen said. “Recently, these Year 5 to 8 students, plus members of their families, met at Centennial Park School to receive their books and have afternoon tea. Altrusa appreciated being able to use the room made available by the school. “The speaker was Helen Tutty, who related how reading had helped her learn about all sorts of things. She had also seen literacy bring pleasure to both her children and grandchildren. As always, the students and their families enjoyed the event, especially the visiting grandparents. And all the students are to be commended on their continued interest in Literacy.” The following students showed special ability and interest in literacy in 2022: Aria Primary School: Chloe Darke (Year 5); Maddy Darke (Year 6). Benneydale Primary: Thomas Hepi (Year 5). Centennial Park: Kansas-Jade Smith (Year 8); Nicholas Hodge (Year 5). Piopio College: Tai Benefield and Reon Hancock (Year 8). Piopio Primary: Logan Brownlie (Year 5); Mariah Hall (Year 6). Pukenui School: Jamie Haylock and Khyzaalei Strickland (Year 8). Rangitoto: Rain Tiangson (Year 5). St Josephs: Sky O’Toole Parry (Year 8). Te Kūiti Primary – Maggie Purdie (Year 7); Imogen Hutson (Year 6); Payton Clark (Year 8).
