Echuca East Primary School students have celebrated Book Week with a colourful dress-up parade and the annual Book of the Year awards, showcasing the creativity of young writers and illustrators across the school.
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Principal Lindy Burke said the day was filled with costumes, laughter and activities celebrating literacy, with almost every student taking part in the parade.
“The kids absolutely love the Book Week parade,” Ms Burke said.
“With close to 100 per cent of our students getting into the costume spirit, it’s one of those special days where the whole school comes together to have fun and celebrate a love of books.”
The parade was followed by the school’s Book of the Year awards, with every student required to write and illustrate a picture story book.
The process begins early in term two, with students developing their ideas before drafting, editing and refining their stories and completing the illustrations.
Ms Burke then reads every entry during the school holidays before selecting finalists and winners.
The winning books are published and presented to their young authors, with copies also placed in the school library and selected books donated to Echuca library.
“It is such a special celebration of creativity, imagination and, most importantly, a love of reading and writing,” Ms Burke said.
This year’s Overall Winner Award went to Catherine R for The Boy who Collected Sounds, while Koolyn J received the Dhungala Award for Sharing Culture through Storytelling for Koolbardi & Wardong.
The school also presented Student Choice and Deadly Awards, recognising students across different year levels for their storytelling and illustration.
Ms Burke said the publishing tradition had become particularly meaningful for graduating students.
“One of the most rewarding parts is hearing our Grade 6 students talk about being a published author in their graduation speeches,” she said.
“They are incredibly proud of their achievement, and rightly so.”
The Book Week celebrations also included students reading their stories to their buddies, creative classroom doorway displays based on Children’s Book Council of Australia books and a scavenger hunt where students guessed teachers’ favourite books.
Ms Burke said the activities helped make literacy something students could experience beyond the classroom.
“These events have huge value for students, because they turn literacy from something they do in the classroom into something they can experience, celebrate and feel proud of,” she said.
After 14 years, Ms Burke said the Book of the Year program had become an important Echuca East tradition.
“For many students, having their story published and seeing their book in the school library is something they will remember long after they leave Echuca East,” she said.
“It gives them a real sense of pride in their writing and a wonderful reminder of what they can achieve when they put their creativity and effort into something.”
Major award winners
Overall Winner: Catherine R, The Boy who Collected Sounds
Dhungala Award: Koolyn J, Koolbardi & Wardong
Level winners:
- Level 1: Evie G, Ripper Rohan
- Level 2: Billie McL, Sally, the Speedy Sloth
- Level 3: Lincoln P, The Shark Attack
- Level 4: Archie S, Land Down Under