The Books in Homes Program is helping out the mainly Indigenous state schools in Dajarra and Camooweal thanks to support from Glencore.
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Over 190 new quality books will be donated to each of the school libraries over the next four school terms, and students will receive 12 books each.
The students pick the books themselves so they are able to select titles they are inspired to read and can integrate them into their homes. The books cover four reading levels, including picture books, novels, non-fiction books, graphic novels and more. One in four of the books are written or illustrated by Indigenous creators.
Dajarra State School caters for 19 students from Kindergarten to Year 6 and is 93% Indigenous with 67% of students coming from a language background other than English.
Camooweal State School has 36 students, of which 90% are Indigenous and 31% come from a language background other than English.
Glencore also sponsors six additional schools in north west Queensland through this program helping to build the foundations of a literature-rich environment for children in their homes and schools, improving their potential for the future.
Acting Principal of Dajarra State School Zoe Hall said accessing a local library was challenging.
"Without our students having the opportunity to take home books they are really interested in, the wonderful world of books would simply not exist," Ms Hall said.
"Glencore has helped many Dajarra State School students, but especially this one particular student who was struggling with his reading and who now has one of the most precious gifts a child could ever receive... the gift of learning and gaining confidence in himself through his love of reading.
Principal of Camooweal State School Vaunessa Parker said her students have pure delight on their faces when the Books in Homes brochure arrives into their classrooms.
"The love of reading has also increased the students' knowledge and helped them learn more about the wider world," Ms Parker said.
"This, in turn, has led our students to think, act and speak with clear and profound insights into topics and to build their cognitive functions."
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
